I've noticed that the Beeb do this quite a bit. If you follow the interactive news, quite often you'll pick up on a story that is quite embarassing to the US, that is then dropped within an hour or so.
I recall when the US had blockaded the ports of North Korea. This was in response to a "suspicious ship" that needed to be investigated. The ship was boarded (by the Spanish I beleive), and was found to be carrying conventional Scud Missiles to the Yemmen.
This blockading of the North Korean ports was in direct contravention of a standing agreement between the US and North Korea. In this agreement, North Korea had agreed to abandon it's nuclear programme, in return for the assurance that it's ports would be kept open at all times for the import oil. Koreas trading of conventional arms was 100% totally legitimate. In direct response to the US's breaking of the agreement, Korea was now threatening to resume it's nuclear programme unless the blockade is lifted immediately.
Within an hour of this story appearing on the BBC's interactive News, it was dropped. Shortly after this, another story broke that North Korea is suspected of planning to develop nuclear technology. This story made no mention of the antagonistic role that had been played by the US
This is just one story that comes to mind. I have seen quite a number of stories that are embarrassing to the US on the Beebs service, that get dropped within a couple of hours. I can't help but believe that, there is some sort of oppressive censorship going on here.
As for DW's ma's comments. It doesn't surprise me. From what I gather, The US have a class system based entirely on wealth. If you don't have money, you're not important.