Thank you for contacting me about the BBC.
The BBC is operationally, editorially and managerially independent of Government. However,
I agree that the BBC must ensure that controversial subjects are treated with due accuracy and due impartiality in news or other content dealing with public policy or matters of political or industrial controversy. The BBC’s Charter embeds the core principle of impartiality in the BBC’s overall mission and enshrines the principle of editorial independence for the BBC’s Director-General. I hope this will make sure the BBC remains a trusted provider of high-quality news for audiences in the UK and abroad.
The current Charter also introduced a complaints system for when viewers believe the BBC is not performing at the level of expectation set for it. In the first instance the BBC handles the complaint. Where a complainant is unsatisfied with the response, or where the BBC fails to respond in a timely manner, the complainant is now able to complain to Ofcom, which has a proven record as an independent media regulator. This provides for independent regulatory oversight of editorial matters and means that the BBC will continue to be held to the high editorial standards that the public expects.
More broadly, the Government highlighted in its Broadcasting White Paper the need for the BBC to address issues around impartiality and groupthink, and to do so it needs to make material and swift progress on its 10-Point Impartiality and Editorial Standards Action Plan, published in October 2021, which aims to raise standards by ensuring that BBC programmes and content are fair, accurate, unbiased, and reflect the UK public. The Government will use the Mid-Term Charter Review, which is currently underway, and the Funding Model Review as two key milestones in preparation for the next Charter Review.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.