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BBC urged to stand firm against accusations of Brexit bias BBC urged to stand firm against accusations of Brexit bias
(about 2 hours later)
More than 80 senior politicians have written to the BBC urging it to stand firm against allegations of bias over its Brexit coverage.More than 80 senior politicians have written to the BBC urging it to stand firm against allegations of bias over its Brexit coverage.
In a letter to the director general, Tony Hall, coordinated by Labour’s Pat McFadden, a cross-party group of MPs and MEPs calls on the corporation to “resist attempts at political interference”, and “report fearlessly and impartially” on the negotiations ahead as Britain leaves the European Union. In a letter to the director general, Tony Hall, coordinated by Labour’s Pat McFadden, a cross-party group of MPs and MEPs calls on the corporation to “resist attempts at political interference”, and “report fearlessly and impartially” on the negotiations as Britain leaves the European Union.
Signatories include former Conservative culture secretary Ed Vaizey, the Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, and the Labour chair of the home affairs select committee, Yvette Cooper. Signatories include Ed Vaizey, a Conservative culture secretary, Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrats’ leader, and Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the home affairs select committee.
The letter is a response to concerns about political pressure on the broadcaster, after around 70 MPs, most of them sympathetic to Brexit, signed a separate letter published in the Daily Mail and the Telegraph earlier this month, claiming the BBC was being too pessimistic about Britain’s prospects outside the EU. The letter is a response to concerns about political pressure on the broadcaster, after about 70 MPs, most of them sympathetic to Brexit, signed a letter published in the Daily Mail and the Telegraph earlier this month, claiming the BBC was being too pessimistic about Britain’s prospects outside the EU.
McFadden and his co-signatories hope to strengthen the BBC’s arm, with the negotiations on leaving the EU set to begin in earnest after Theresa May triggered article 50 on Wednesday by dispatching a letter to Brussels formally declaring Britain’s intention to quit the EU.McFadden and his co-signatories hope to strengthen the BBC’s arm, with the negotiations on leaving the EU set to begin in earnest after Theresa May triggered article 50 on Wednesday by dispatching a letter to Brussels formally declaring Britain’s intention to quit the EU.
“As the article 50 process begins we believe it is hugely important that the public can trust the BBC to report on the process without fear or favour and that it is strong enough to resist any political pressure to skew coverage one way or the other,” the letter says. “The BBC and our broadcasters (unlike newspapers) are required to be objective and impartial by law,” the letter says. “The BBC rightly guards its independence and should resist attempts at political interference or pressure.”
“This letter is a strong statement of support for the BBC to be free to do its job to report fearlessly and impartially. The reason the BBC is respected as a news source around the world is precisely because it is independent. And at a time when those who ask fair and tough questions are being denounced, that independence and impartiality is more important than ever.” “We expect the BBC to defend its independence and report impartially, robustly and fearlessly on all issues relating to Brexit and not succumb to any pressure to skew its coverage one way or another.”
The pair of letters – one attacking the BBC, and another defending it – underline the febrile atmosphere in which talks are set to get under way.The pair of letters – one attacking the BBC, and another defending it – underline the febrile atmosphere in which talks are set to get under way.
Lord Hall defended the BBC’s coverage after the critical letter, coordinated by Tory MP Julian Knight, was published earlier this month. “Impartiality has always been the cornerstone of BBC News. It remains so today,” he said. “We go to great lengths to ensure that we balance our coverage and address all issues from a wide range of different perspectives.”Lord Hall defended the BBC’s coverage after the critical letter, coordinated by Tory MP Julian Knight, was published earlier this month. “Impartiality has always been the cornerstone of BBC News. It remains so today,” he said. “We go to great lengths to ensure that we balance our coverage and address all issues from a wide range of different perspectives.”
The letter of complaint was signed by former cabinet ministers Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa Villiers.The letter of complaint was signed by former cabinet ministers Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa Villiers.