By Sheila Mckenzie-
An independent review of the BBC’s coverage of migration has revealed concerns regarding impartiality, highlighting risks stemming from the broadcaster’s approach to reporting on the complex issue.
Conducted by policy specialist Madeleine Sumption, the review engaged with over 100 individuals both within and outside the BBC, leading to significant findings about the nature of migration reporting.
While acknowledging the presence of “excellent content” on migration, the review raised alarms over impartiality, noting that the BBC’s coverage often presents migration stories through a narrow political lens.
The review concluded that while the corporation provides “a lot of excellent content on migration” there are “risks to impartiality that point in multiple directions”, despite there being “no consistent bias towards one point of view”.
Criticisms ranged from implicit promotion of a pro-government agenda to accusations of a consistent liberal bias, highlighting a need for greater balance and context in reporting.
Key findings from the review include concerns about the BBC’s failure to fully understand and explain migration stories, leading to potential misunderstandings among viewers.
Additionally, a lack of confidence, time, or expertise among journalists was identified as hindering the rigorous examination of claims and challenging questionable statements.
The review, which focused on news and current affairs, also suggested coverage sometimes sought narrow “balance” by quoting soundbites from people with opposing views, while audiences wanted greater depth.
Viewers and listeners needed more context and explanation around complex policies such as sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, the review found.
The review added that Journalists were sometimes anxious about taking on topics they felt could be hostile to migrants – even though these issues could be investigated while also being respectful towards the people involved and subjects such as immigration fraud covered “in a factual and nuanced way, without demonising migrants”.
By focusing primarily on political developments, the BBC could overlook concerns such as how migration affected communities, housing, public services and the labour market.
Public’s views
“BBC coverage should have equal empathy for migrants and UK residents who worry about the impacts of migration,” Dr Sumption added.
One of the most significant recommendations from the review is the inclusion of migrant voices in BBC reporting, emphasizing the importance of equal empathy for migrants and UK residents.
It also calls for clearer distinctions between different types of migration and nuanced portrayals that reflect the complexities of public attitudes towards migration.
Responding to the review, BBC board member Sir Nicholas Serota emphasized the importance of meeting the highest editorial standards in reporting on such a contested area of public policy.
He outlined key actions to address the challenges raised in the review, including ensuring greater diversity of voices, providing clearer context, and avoiding the dominance of political perspectives.
In light of these findings, the BBC executive has endorsed six key points from the report, which are expected to guide journalists in their coverage of migration.
These points emphasize the importance of substance over politics, providing adequate context, hearing from migrants directly, clarifying migration terms, representing diverse opinions, and sourcing stories beyond Westminster.
The review’s recommendations mark a significant step towards enhancing the quality and impartiality of migration reporting at the BBC.