"It would have made a far better programme had the BBC placed more emphasis on the positive aspects of the Critics Group, such as the fact that it produced so many first rate singers, the fact that it resulted in some very interesting LPs, ..."

Yes, the Critics produced some fine records- London songs, Sea songs etc. The trouble is that critics outside of the Critics (if you get my meaning?) were, at the time, falling over themselves to slag them off as 'Ewan MacColl clones' etc. In fact they were nothing of the sort and were mainly highly talented individuals who turned in some excellent performances (and, in many cases, are still doing so).