BBC rural coverage under scrutiny
The impartiality of the BBC’s coverage of rural issues is to be examined by the broadcaster’s own independent watchdog.
Announced on Wednesday (27 March) as part of the BBC Trust’s annual work plan, the rural review is the latest in a rolling programme of impartiality appraisals.
It will be independently authored and will examine national and regional news and current affairs, along with factual programming.
Work is expected to begin this summer. As well as content analysis and audience research, submissions will be invited from the BBC Executive and interested stakeholders.
“More than two thirds of the UK’s landscape is rural, and rural issues affect many areas of all our lives,” said Alison Hastings, chairman of the trust’s editorial standards committee.
“The BBC exists to serve the whole of the UK and we’ll be looking for evidence that the BBC is reflecting these communities and their issues, and that it is achieving the high standards of impartiality which audiences expect.”
While the BBC’s rural coverage is often praised, it has also been criticised.
Last autumn, farm leaders accused the BBC of bias when reporting the planned badger cull to combat bovine tuberculosis.
NFU president Peter Kendall has written to then BBC director general George Entwistle calling for an urgent review of the way the topic was being reported.
Mr Kendall said the worst example was a BBC Newsnight report which blurred out the face of a protestor threatening direct action against a cull.
The same programme named and showed the face of a farmer who said tackling the disease in badgers was vital.
“The clear suggestion was that anti-cull protestors are being intimidated by farmers,” said Mr Kendall. “This suggestion is disgusting and clearly biased.”
The BBC defended its coverage, saying the protestor had requested anonymity because he was concerned he would be targeted.
“Hearing from this individual, although anonymously, meant we could challenge their position and plans for direct action.”
BBC accused of bias against badger cull