Principles of political impartiality

Earlier I sent a complaint to the BBC regarding their coverage of the Skidelsky letter.

I have received a less than adequate response.

Thanks for your e-mail regarding ‘BBC News 24 – One to One’.

I understand that you believe the issue of the Lord Skidelsky/60 economists letter was covered with bias on the programme.

I can assure you that the BBC follows strict editorial guidelines and the principles relating to our political impartiality are set out in the BBC’s Charter and Agreement are central to our coverage of politics. You can read more regarding this at the following website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/edguide/politics/index.shtml

None the less, I appreciate your feelings regarding this and I will note your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management.

It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.  The BBC welcomes all kinds of feedback and your own will play a part in the improvement and development of future BBC programming.

Thanks for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.

Regards

Rick Miles
BBC Complaints

The link in the response provided the following information

• We must treat matters of public policy or political or industrial controversy with due accuracy and impartiality in our news services and other output.
• We must not express an opinion on current affairs or matters of public policy other than broadcasting.
• We must not campaign, or allow ourselves to be used to campaig

Well, to my mind they have failed on the first point as it was presented as a letter that supported Government policy without saying that the general approach was also agreed with by the Liberal Democrats – it’s just that the emphasis was different.

I’m minded to do something even more radical and something I’ve never done before. Watch this space.

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