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More people think BBC has bias to left than bias to right – poll More people think BBC has bias to left than bias to right – poll
(about 14 hours later)
Almost twice as many people think the BBC has a leftwing bias as believe it favours the right, according to a new Opinium/Observer poll.Almost twice as many people think the BBC has a leftwing bias as believe it favours the right, according to a new Opinium/Observer poll.
Around 41% think the BBC displays some bias. Of these, 27% say it leans to the left and 14% say it favours the right. Overall, 37% of people polled think the corporation is neutral in its news reporting while 26% do not know.Around 41% think the BBC displays some bias. Of these, 27% say it leans to the left and 14% say it favours the right. Overall, 37% of people polled think the corporation is neutral in its news reporting while 26% do not know.
The findings come after Tory claims that the BBC has a leftwing culture and fails to report issues such as welfare cuts fairly. The BBC has defended itself against all such charges.The findings come after Tory claims that the BBC has a leftwing culture and fails to report issues such as welfare cuts fairly. The BBC has defended itself against all such charges.
Among Tory voters, 44% believe the corporation has a leftwing bias, against 32% who think it is neutral. Far fewer Labour voters (19%) think it has a rightwing bias, while more of its supporters (48%) think it is neutral.Among Tory voters, 44% believe the corporation has a leftwing bias, against 32% who think it is neutral. Far fewer Labour voters (19%) think it has a rightwing bias, while more of its supporters (48%) think it is neutral.
Tory party chairman Grant Shapps said recently the BBC faced a "question of credibility" over its reporting and suggested that the £145.50-a-year licence fee might be cut unless the BBC, which is still reeling from the Jimmy Savile scandal and controversy over payoffs, reforms itself.Tory party chairman Grant Shapps said recently the BBC faced a "question of credibility" over its reporting and suggested that the £145.50-a-year licence fee might be cut unless the BBC, which is still reeling from the Jimmy Savile scandal and controversy over payoffs, reforms itself.
Some 60% of people said they believed the BBC's news reporting was accurate and trustworthy, against 12% who thought it was not. The poll found 65% said the licence fee was too high and should be cut and 57% thought it should be forced to compete with other broadcasters if it is to continue to receive public funding.Some 60% of people said they believed the BBC's news reporting was accurate and trustworthy, against 12% who thought it was not. The poll found 65% said the licence fee was too high and should be cut and 57% thought it should be forced to compete with other broadcasters if it is to continue to receive public funding.
The poll showed Labour's lead at 6%, down four points on a fortnight ago, with the party on 37%, against 31% for the Conservatives, 16% for Ukip and 7% for the Liberal Democrats. The poll showed Labour's lead at 6%, down a point on a fortnight ago, with the party on 37%, against 31% for the Conservatives, 16% for Ukip and 7% for the Liberal Democrats.
* This article was amended on 3 November 2013 to amend an error in the percentage-point change in Labour's poll popularity
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