SINCE we launched our crowdfunding appeal to hold the BBC to account, your opinions – comments in support of us as well as expressions of anger about the BBC’s arrogance – have come pouring in. Opinions that have not mattered to the BBC.
It is somewhat ironic, then, that part of the case for the judicial review against the BBC is that it relies heavily on opinion polls – published each year as part of the annual report – to ‘verify’ that it impartial. The latest, from 2017 is here.
Such polls, the Corporation claims, show that 50 per cent of the public say BBC news is their choice if they are looking for an ‘impartial’ news source. But the converse is also true – half the public, all of whom are forced to pay a licence fee if they watch terrestrial television or use the BBC iPlayer, do not opt for the Corporation.
In any case an opinion poll such as this does not verify that the BBC is actually impartial (as required by its Charter), only that some people think it is impartial. Or indeed that is above complaint.
Of course, when the BBC commissions these expensive opinion polls it does not report the strongly negative views about it which donors to our judicial review crowdfunding appeal reflect and have been expressing over the past few days.
They confirm the levels of frustration and anger out there; one even came from a former BBC employee who now says she is ashamed of the current bias. This anger deserves airing. The BBC will not but we will and can. Here is a selection.
Derrick wrote:
The reporting of news at the BBC has become the expression of opinions and the suppression of news. A complete clear-out of the current editorial and production teams is needed to restore the reporting of truth across the board.
Cathy said:
I was once a proud ‘Auntie’ employee and am ashamed of the current bias in reporting.
Tony commented:
The BBC’s agenda-driven bias in its reporting of certain topics is a disgrace. Brexit, climate change, economics, health – you name it, the BBC twists and manipulates rather than offering balanced facts or debate. It is, by far, the most influential player in biasing public opinion.
Others chose not to share their names but still wanted to vent their opinions:
It is partly because of the extreme BBC bias that we failed to leave the EU when we should have; they are undermining democracy.
and
Appalled that the publicly-funded BBC has become a left-wing propaganda machine unashamedly delivering bias in everything from news coverage to drama and comedy.
David commented on Left-wing and Marxist bias:
As an ex-serviceman I have seen the bias of this inappropriately named organisation at first hand. Marxist group-think and anti-British propaganda prevail at every opportunity. That successive governments have not taken action against it is a national disgrace.
Rosemary came back to Brexit:
I am disgusted by the continual Left-wing bias and anti-Brexit stance by the BBC. Best wishes in your fight for impartiality on the part of national broadcaster.
Roger said:
We are told we live in a democracy but in fact we are controlled by the establishment for which the BBC is the campaign organisation and is funded by the licence fee which is the most regressive tax in the UK.
Gillian, like many kind people, wished us luck:
Good luck in regaining a balanced BBC . . . I refuse to watch any BBC station, including Parliament . . . I do not wish to be brainwashed . . . for the compulsory subscription fee to have the freedom to watch television, I wish to be given a balanced view of news and life in general from the state broadcaster.
Peter said:
I am a white man from a humble background. I am a ‘one nation conservative’. The BBC assumes that I therefore know nothing. I have always worked hard, paid my taxes, and have been a senior healthcare professional person for 40 years. The BBC feels that I need educating, as I voted Leave!!!
David said:
For decades the BBC has had worldwide respect and recognition for the truth. The current administration must be taken to task for tarnishing this proud, long-standing reputation.
Kevin said:
I am sick of being forced to fund this broken, biased media conglomerate. My complaints to the BBC have been effectively ignored so time for a legal challenge.
Ian said:
Having spent the last three years trying to undermine the majority by attacking Leave voters as misled, the BBC have singularly devoted hours of coverage to avoiding the elephant in the room i.e. the downsides of our being members. Need I list them?
The last word for now goes to Christopher. He declared:
Brilliant initiative. Five million people not paying the licence fee would make those self-righteous fat cats’ eyes water, but that would be a criminal offence.’
Can you help us reach our target? We are nearly there!
Donate here https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/stopbbcbias/
