Government lays down law to BBC on reporting news

Anthony Butcher · 27-11-2004, 01:14 AM

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...p?story=587260

Quote:

The Government is facing a dispute over the BBC's new royal charter which will, for the first time, lay down tough new standards of impartiality and accuracy in news and current affairs.

The wording of the charter - to be spelled out in a government Green Paper in the new year - is expected to emphasise the BBC's "freedom from bias", The Independent can reveal.

Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, is braced for a row over claims that it is an attempt to shackle the BBC following the furore over the death of Dr David Kelly and the Hutton report which led to heads rolling at the corporation.

It is certain to provoke anger within the BBC and fuel claims that ministers want the BBC's current affairs output to be less critical of the Government in return for allowing it to keep the licence fee as its primary form of funding.

Less critical of the government? How about just not ignoring UKIP for a start! I think that the government gets more than its fair share of positive coverage.

James StGeorge · 27-11-2004, 09:31 AM

Staggering! The BBC is Labour's organ anyway the employees are overwhelmingly well to the left.

Great if they meant what it says! However you can be certain their ideas of the middle ground or lack of bias will be at least the current left wing leaning highly PC position. The subtle method of news selection is a prime means used by the BBC, how would that be monitored?

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27-11-2004, 09:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
James StGeorge Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 65	Staggering! The BBC is Labour's organ anyway the employees are overwhelmingly well to the left. Great if they meant what it says! However you can be certain their ideas of the middle ground or lack of bias will be at least the current left wing leaning highly PC position. The subtle method of news selection is a prime means used by the BBC, how would that be monitored?