Demand for BBC bias probe

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

04:59 - 01 January 2004

An inquiry into BBC bias has been demanded by a senior backbench Labour MP.

Barry Sheerman, chair of the Commons Education Committee, was speaking ahead of the Hutton inquiry report.

The BBC's role in events leading up to the death of government weapons expert Dr David Kelly will be a key issue when Lord Hutton releases his report, expected later this month.

But Mr Sheerman said the corporation's bias was not confined to the war in Iraq and a wider investigation was needed.

"This past year has in my view seen for the first time in BBC history a campaign waged by the corporation against the Government and its policies," he said.

"I feel that the extent of the bias in BBC current affairs coverage of the major policy areas, not just on Iraq, but in health, education and public services generally, merits a full and independent public inquiry.

More: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=115856&command=displayContent&sourceNode=115854&contentPK=8332510

[number6]

1. many people have recommended BBC as a news source

but I've been disappointed with it
not surprised to see this ...

[0007]

5. What would you recommend? FAUX News - CNN - or MSNBC

[roguevalley]

2. here it goes. they're going to castrate and lobotomize the Beeb

[mobuto]

3. Bias in the BBC?

Say it ain't so, Joe.

The BBC has always been biased, something it has never attempted to conceal. As I understand it, the Beeb's official position is that it will not remain neutral as betwixt the fireman and the fire. It takes positions on a whole host of issues, and not just the present unpleasantness in Iraq and has since its inception. Now, despite lacking what Americans consider to be objectivity (and no British news source is even remotely objective), the Beeb still provides some of the best news coverage anywhere.

I think it would be a good thing if the BBC were changed so that it would editorialize less, if that could be done in way that wouldn't compromise the integrity of the coverage. The great fear of course is that in the quest for "objectivity", the Beeb is lobotomized in the manner of the American networks or else turned into the broadcast edition of the Daily Telegraph. One hopes a satisfactory solution can be achieved.

[rman]

4. so BBC is to blame for Kelly's so called suicide?

Waging a campaign against the government? Oh how terrible to have an independent press that dares to critisize the government, we can't have that now can we.

Also interesting how the BBC is called a "corporation" while Murdochs commercial media empire is apparently beyond reproach.

[BiggJawn]

6. "Waging a campaign against the Government" Really?

Could that possibly be because the government is WRONG?

Sheerman must watch FAUX. If anyone criticizes you, question their patriotism.