BBCWatch Letter from the BBC to Neil Winton British Broadcasting Corporation Television Centre Wood Lane W12 7RJ Telephone 0208 743 8000 Reception Advice Telephone 0870 010 0123 27 November 2003 Dear Mr Winton Thank you for your telephone call on 17 November regarding BBC News. I’m sorry you continue to believe the BBC is biased, but I can assure you this is not the case. BBC journalists are well aware of our commitment to impartial reporting and they are expected to put any personal views they may have to one side when carrying out their work. Across the full range of our output we aim to provide viewers and listeners with enough information to make up their own minds and provide a forum for debate. It’s not always possible or practical to reflect all the different opinions on a subject within individual reports, but editors ensure that, over a reasonable period they reflect the range of significant views and opinions in their subject area. I note, in particular, that you objected to the report by our Diplomatic Correspondent James Robbins for the Ten O’Clock News on 17 November in which he had given an overview of the long history of the so-called “special relationship” between Britain and America and ended by saying “So is history exerting too strong a pull? Yes, say George Bush’s critics. No, say America’s friends. What is not in doubt (is that) the transatlantic alliance now divides Britain”. I understand you felt there was no evidence to support that statement, but we do not believe this to be the case. In fact, earlier in the same bulletin (and for several days leading up to that date) we had been reporting on the unprecedented measures being put in place to handle major demonstrations taking place in London, at which around 100,000 protesters were expected to attend. The Prime Minister had even issued a formal statement explaining why he disagreed with the view that it wasn’t the right time for the visit, and President Bush himself had given a series of interviews in which he welcomed the demonstrations and said he was pleased to be visiting a country that allowed freedom of expression. The report had also included interviews with senior politicians from across the political spectrum who had expressed concern that while the “special relationship” was still valued it had perhaps become too one-sided. We therefore (sic) it was entirely appropriate for the reporter to conclude that opinions were divided as to the advantages of the alliance. I recognise, however, that you may disagree and I will make sure your comments are registered. With regard to your wider concerns about BBC News, which you have covered in more depth on your website, you may be interested to know that – in addition to other evidence – independent research indicates there is widespread confidence in the impartiality of the BBC’s reporting. Indeed, a recent report on broadcast news, published jointly by the Independent Television Commission and the Broadcast Standards Commission, showed that BBC ONE was ahead of all other stations in reply to the question of whether audiences regarded news providers as impartial. Thank you anyway for your continued interest in this matter. Yours sincerely Lee Rogers Editorial & Investigation Team BBC Information Top