On Tuesday, 27th February I led a Westminster Hall debate titled “The Government’s Role in Upholding the Impartiality of BBC News Coverage”, highlighting the concerns of those across Parliament about the impartiality of the BBC.
Westminster Hall debates are an excellent opportunity for MPs to host a debate on a topic of concern, which has to be attended by the relevant minister and shadow minister, as well as any other MPs who wish to attend.
The BBC is rightly considered a treasured national institution and it has a duty as a taxpayer-funded body to provide impartial news coverage free of bias. As such, the BBC should be held accountable to MPs if there is a question about whether they adhere to the founding principle of impartiality.
In the debate I listed examples of problems at the Corporation.
These examples have damaged the BBC’s reputation and have had serious real-world consequences.
I was pleased to see a good turnout of my MP colleagues at the debate, and I welcomed the opportunity to highlight the importance of impartiality in our national broadcaster.
You can view the full debate (90mins) and my own speech (c20 mins) here via the following link: https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/71659b80-6c72-4af9-83f0-50157f0ab167
(Photo: Sir Michael Ellis MP speaking at the Westminster Hall Debate on BBC impartiality)