BBC Bias ?
UKIP PPC for Chichester Andrew Moncreiff sent the BBC the following complaint> > Dear Sirs,
> > On the evening of 24th July Radio 4 news (I think it was the 7.00pm
> > summary but it may have been the main 6.00pm news) stated that the Conservatives
> > had won the Norwich North Bye-election with Labour coming second, the Lib/Dems
> > third and the Green party fourth.
> >
> > My wife and I both noted this and exchanged disappointed comments, having
> > had greater expectations of UKIP which we support.
> >
> > I then logged onto the BBC website where I found the true result to be
> > that UKIP came fourth, beating the Green party by some 700 votes.
> >
> > It was not even that this was an opinion 'column' but a supposedly
> > factual news broadcast. Assuming that this mis-reporting was not deliberate, I
> > take it to have been a 'Freudian slip' and yet another example of the BBC bias
> > against UKIP. There have been many complaints about BBC bias against UKIP
> > generally, most recently during the Norwich North campaign, but my
> > experience is that Radio 4 is particularly at fault and this would appear
> > to
> > add a totally objective piece of evidence in support of my thesis.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Andrew Moncreiff
> > UKIP PPC, Chichester
And he thinks we ought to read there reply
> Subject: Fw: BBC Complaints [T2009072500TDS010Z5996646]
> Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:42:17 +0100
>
> I thought you might be interested to see my complaint to the BBC and their
> dead bat anodyne reply (note that they can't spell anymore, either !).
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Andrew Moncreiff
>
Judge fo yourself !!
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <complaintresponse@bbc.co.uk>
> Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:14 PM
> Subject: BBC Complaints [T2009072500TDS010Z5996646]
>
>
> > Dear Mr Moncreiff
> >
> > Thank you for your e-mail.
> >
> > I understand you're unhappy with a report on Radio 4 as you believe it
> > incorrectly stated that Green Party had come forth and you felt this
> > reflects the bias in the BBC.
> >
> > We do apologise for any mistakes which may occur however within a live
> > 'rolling' environment this can sometimes be the case. However we do
> > monitor this and every effort is made to keep such slips to a minimum.
> > When these errors do occur they are swiftly pointed out.
> >
> > BBC journalists are well aware of our commitment to impartial reporting.
> > They're expected to put their own political views to one side when
> > carrying out their work for the BBC. They seek to provide the information
> > which will enable viewers and listeners to make up their own minds; to
> > show the political reality and provide the forum for debate, giving full
> > opportunity for all viewpoints to be heard. Senior editorial staff, the
> > Executive Committee and the BBC Trust keep a close watch on programmes to
> > ensure that standards of impartiality are maintained.
> >
> > I understand you believe that Radio 4 is particularly bias against UKIP
> > and so I've registered your comment on our audience log. This is a daily
> > report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including
> > members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controllers and other senior
> > managers.
> >
> > The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape
> > decisions about future programming and content.
> >
> > Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Joe O'Brien
> > BBC Complaints
> > ____________________________
> > www.bbc.co.uk/complaints