Broadcast impartiality

[smittims]

Thanks. Yes, I know the BBC used to have a reputation of being impartial , but I didn't know if it was an official obligation. There have of course been times when they have been (to their credit) more impartial than the government wanted them to be, re.g. during the General Strike of 1926 and the Falklands war.

[french frank]

Thanks. Yes, I know the BBC used to have a reputation of being impartial , but I didn't know if it was an official obligation.

It applies to all broadcasters, who are regulated by Ofcom. GB News has frequently been censured. Newspapers can be as biased as their proprietors want.

[Serial_Apologist]

Or the tree, if the sundial was there first.

From what I remember, the sundial had become overshadowed by the subsequent growth of the surrounding trees, and it was intended to move it. But my message was intended "metaphorically".

[Ian Thumwood]

I generally think the BBC is impartial but there are times when I think there is a degree of being somewhat pleased with itself. If there is a bias, I feel that the BBC is both Liberal and liberal. Radio 4 can be like that. Too much reliance on people associated with the Guardian newspaper whereas the Right makes comments about journalists from the Mail , Express or the Sun being invited.

I have strong feelings about this. The Morning Star is never invited to contribute and I feel that the bias towards more Liberal opinions has facilitated the rise of popular journalism as opposed to reporting on the genuine concerns of working people. Concentration on minority issues like Trans Rights is over reported whereas the BBC does not really deal with issues such as poverty or erosion of consumer rights / unchecked growth of capitalism which affects all alike. This is the main cause of the Culture wars as journalists are not doing their job and only seem to report on trendy issues. The miners strike would probably be replaced with more yoof friendly news these days on the BBC.


I also feel that the trend for alternative news outlets has been corrosive. I do not understand why GB News has not had it's licence revoked. By contrast, Channel Four's news service has consistently held people to account. Much better than the Beeb.

[Serial_Apologist]

I generally think the BBC is impartial but there are times when I think there is a degree of being somewhat pleased with itself. If there is a bias, I feel that the BBC is both Liberal and liberal. Radio 4 can be like that. Too much reliance on people associated with the Guardian newspaper whereas the Right makes comments about journalists from the Mail , Express or the Sun being invited.

I have strong feelings about this. The Morning Star is never invited to contribute and I feel that the bias towards more Liberal opinions has facilitated the rise of popular journalism as opposed to reporting on the genuine concerns of working people. Concentration on minority issues like Trans Rights is over reported whereas the BBC does not really deal with issues such as poverty or erosion of consumer rights / unchecked growth of capitalism which affects all alike. This is the main cause of the Culture wars as journalists are not doing their job and only seem to report on trendy issues. The miners strike would probably be replaced with more yoof friendly news these days on the BBC.


I also feel that the trend for alternative news outlets has been corrosive. I do not understand why GB News has not had it's licence revoked. By contrast, Channel Four's news service has consistently held people to account. Much better than the Beeb.

To some extent true, though here, once again, one frequently has the feeling that CH4 presenters along with subject matter too often give an impression of being over-pleased with themselves, although, again, the half hour intimate reports on diabolical conditions and repression in various Third World countries on Friday nights after the main 7pm news programme are exemplary, and would be even more so if similar such matters in this country weren't so often overlooked, here as elsewhere in the MSM. Channel 4 started life as a brave initiative dealing adequately with complex issues and airing adventurous cultural projects and films. While it was a shame they were forced by vandalism to ditch their street accessable Right of Reply (?) there was no reason to end Union World which, as complainants pointed out, had dealt with matters other than industrial disputes, including education work in health & safety etc., and addressing the lack of democracy in TU leadership (lack of) accountability and privilege that Thatcher had exploited for opportunistic purposes. In response CH 4 said they would continue trade union issues coverage by incorporating it into related news items, but this has never happened.