By Ben Kerrigan-
The BBC has been accused of permitting impartiality by not checking conflicts of interest within its organization.
The claim came in the wake of financial (FOI) requests to the BBC on the links between a News night editor and the Conservative Party. The request was made by researcher and campaigner, Joel Benjamin
Skepticism arose when BBC News night continuously rejected Benjamin’s inquiries, arguing they fell outside the Freedom of Information Act’s (FOIA) remit because it was related to journalistic output.
” Cook has refused to answer questions on this matter, blocked the journalists asking questions, and hidden behind the BBC’s FOIA exemption. Grossly hypocritical behavior for a FOIA journalist who often railed against the Cabinet Office for its refusal to answer his own FOIA requests.”
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The BBC responded to each of Benjamin’s FOI requests by saying it could not give such information as it “is excluded from the Act because it is held for the purposes of ‘journalism, art or literature.’” It added that the BBC did not “routinely provide research information used in programs.”
But Benjamin believed the corporation was “relying upon an overly-broad interpretation of the so-called derogation or exemption from FOIA.
“To say that anything loosely attributed to BBC ‘journalistic output’ is fully exempt from disclosure. In the interests of transparency, accountability and public interest journalism – this must now be subject to public challenge.”
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Adding to the cynicism of the BBC’s uncooperation to FOI request, was a study by the Media Reform Coalition and Birkbeck, University of London, showed how the BBC has been repeatedly biased in its reporting of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, giving his critics twice as much airtime as his supporters.
However, this could be because the BBC genuinely believe believe Corbyn’s critics deserve more air time.
BBC journalists, are not allowed to be closely affiliated with any political party, so suspicion naturally arises if there is any evidence suggesting that they are. They are however allowed some flexibility according to their discretion.
A statement from the BBC stated that “all BBC staff are required formally to declare any personal interest which may affect their work,” the group also adds that “a conflict of interest may arise when the external activities of anyone involved in making our content affects the BBC’s reputation for integrity, independence and high standards, or may be reasonably perceived to do so.
“Our audiences must be able to trust the BBC and be confident that our editorial decisions are not influenced by outside interests, political or commercial pressures, or any personal interests.”
In its conflict of interest section of the guidelines, the BBC states: “News and current affairs programs for international, national, regional and local output are subject to the most stringent tests of impartiality.”
Critics of the BBC believe it is time to review the failed systems in place within the BBC which allow journalists acting in a biased manner.
But Benjamin believed the corporation was “relying upon an overly-broad interpretation of the so-called derogation or exemption from FOIA.
“To say that anything loosely attributed to BBC ‘journalistic output’ is fully exempt from disclosure. In the interests of transparency, accountability and public interest journalism – this must now be subject to public challenge.”
In the last month, a study by the Media Reform Coalition and Birkbeck, University of London, showed how the BBC has been repeatedly biased in its reporting of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, giving his critics twice as much airtime as his supporters.
BBC journalists, as part of a public broadcasting service, are not allowed to be active members of a political party. Their political activities are not prohibited, but the level of involvement and the seniority of their position inside the corporation should theoretically be scrutinized by the BBC Trust.
But the editorial guidelines do leave room for maneuver and a lack of thorough controls. Despite insisting that “all BBC staff are required formally to declare any personal interest which may affect their work,” the group also adds that “a conflict of interest may arise when the external activities of anyone involved in making our content affects the BBC’s reputation for integrity, independence and high standards, or may be reasonably perceived to do so.
“Our audiences must be able to trust the BBC and be confident that our editorial decisions are not influenced by outside interests, political or commercial pressures, or any personal interests.”
In its conflict of interest section of the guidelines, the BBC states: “News and current affairs programs for international, national, regional and local output are subject to the most stringent tests of impartiality.”
Campaigners believe it’s now time for an inquiry into the matter.
“It is time to review the failed systems in place within the BBC which allow journalists acting in a biased m
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