Culture Secretary Challenges BBC on Coronavirus Bias

The Culture Secretary has criticised the BBC over recent instances of political bias in its coronavirus coverage.

Oliver Dowden MP, who has been Culture Secretary since mid-February, has written to the outgoing BBC Director General, Tony Hall, urging him to "uphold (the) highest standards in relation to integrity and impartiality".

Mr Dowden's intervention comes a few days after BBC News falsely reported that the "boss of a large NHS Trust" had been on the phone expressing concerns about the lack of PPE for frontline staff.

Last Monday's Panorama programme explored the contentious issue of PPE shortages reportedly experienced by NHS workers. Presenter Richard Bilton interviewed a number of NHS workers and health care experts, all of whom were critical of the Government's handling of the situation. It was subsequently revealed that ALL of these health care professionals have strong links to left wing politics and the Labour Party:

• Libby Nolan, an NHS senior nurse, is also a Unison trade unionist;
• Dr Irian Eno, an NHS hospital doctor, is the daughter of hard-left musician Brian Eno and a lobbyist for the Docs Not Cops campaign group;
• Dr Sonia Andesara, an NHS hospital doctor, has stood as a Labour Party election candidate, featured in a Labour Party political broadcast and shared a platform with former Chancellor John McDonnell MP;
• Professor John Ashton, a professor in public health, is also a Labour Party member;
• Dr Asif Munaf, an NHS hospital doctor, is also a media-savvy Labour Party campaigner and Jeremy Corbyn supporter;
• Dr Abhi Mantgani, an NHS general practitioner, is also a Labour Party activist;

It was also revealed that the BBC approached trade union organiser and self-proclaimed communist Nigel Flanagan in an effort to source interviewees for the programme.

In his letter to Tony Hall, the Culture Secretary said: "I am aware of a number of allegations in relation to the Panorama programme broadcast on 27th April, which I understand has been the subject of a number of complaints to Ofcom.

"Concerns have been raised that a disproportionate number of those interviewed in the programme were political activists or had clear links to a political party. This both was not made clear to viewers and does not reflect the balance of views in an organisation as large as the NHS.

"This, of course, occurred shortly after the BBC was forced to issue a correction on 17th April for leading news programmes with an incorrect report that an NHS Trust Chief Executive had sought contact with Burberry.

"I am sure you will agree that it is vital that public confidence is maintained in the BBC's long-standing reputation for fair and balanced reporting, and that any damage to that would be deeply concerning."

The Department for Culture, Digital, Media and Sport, under Mr Dowden's stewardship, is currently conducting a review into the proposed decriminalisation of TV licence evasion and future methods of funding the BBC.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson MP, has previously questioned the sustainability of the TV licence: "I think the system of funding by what is effectively a general tax… bears reflection.

"How long can you justify a system whereby everybody who has a TV has to pay to fund a particular set of TV and radio channels? That is the question."

Tony Hall has previously announced that he will be stepping down from the role of BBC Director General later this year.

If you've found this article useful please consider liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter or downloading our free ebook.