BBC: Political Impartiality
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with the BBC Board on the editing of a speech by the President of the United States on 6 January 2021 in an edition of Panorama broadcast in October 2024; and what recent discussions she has had with the BBC Board on its adherence to its editorial guidelines on (a) impartiality and (b) accuracy in political reporting.
Answered by Ian Murray
The Secretary of State has been speaking regularly to the Chair of the Board in relation to the points raised in a letter written by Michael Prescott, a former independent adviser to the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee (EGSC). Dr Samir Shah, Chair of the BBC, has rightly apologised for editorial failings, and has committed to a number of steps including undertaking a review of each item set out in Michael Prescott’s letter and reviewing how the EGSC works and propose changes.
The public expects and deserves the highest editorial standards from the BBC. The Secretary of State has been consistently clear that where these standards are not met, firm and transparent action must follow. The Government therefore welcomes the steps set out by the Chair, and the Secretary of State will continue to seek updates on their progress.
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