Post by Teddy Bear on Apr 29, 2012 12:17:42 GMT
t is misleading to headline the article below 'BBC launches inquiry into payments to MP's'.
Since Thompson first tried to dismiss the complaint about payments to MP's appearing on their programmes by claiming ridiculously 'this rule did not apply in Miss Abbott's case because This Week is "not a traditional political programme", forcing Lord Laird to take it further, it was this MP that LAUNCHED an inquiry, not the BBC itself.
It shows the same way the BBC tries to justify their bias, summarily dismissing genuine complaints because they are able to act as their own arbiters - a situation that is completely immoral. For the government to continue to allow this totally slanted media outlet, masquerading as 'fair and balanced', to carry on being their own judge, shows how inept they too are.
Since Thompson first tried to dismiss the complaint about payments to MP's appearing on their programmes by claiming ridiculously 'this rule did not apply in Miss Abbott's case because This Week is "not a traditional political programme", forcing Lord Laird to take it further, it was this MP that LAUNCHED an inquiry, not the BBC itself.
It shows the same way the BBC tries to justify their bias, summarily dismissing genuine complaints because they are able to act as their own arbiters - a situation that is completely immoral. For the government to continue to allow this totally slanted media outlet, masquerading as 'fair and balanced', to carry on being their own judge, shows how inept they too are.
BBC launches inquiry into payments to MPs
The BBC has launched an inquiry which could lead to a ban on MPs being paid to appear as guests on programmes.
The move would affect dozens of politicians who are regularly rewarded for their broadcasts, earning up to £200 plus expenses for a turn on Radio 4's Any Questions or more than £500 for BBC One's This Week.
The BBC Trust, which represents licence payers, will rule this week on a dispute over payments to one MP. It is being seen as a test case which, if it goes against the parliamentarian, would result in a tightening of the rules to prevent similar payments in future.
The current dispute centres on payments of almost £6,000 made to Diane Abbott, the Labour MP, for seven appearances as a pundit on This Week alongside Michael Portillo, the former Conservative MP, and Andrew Neil, the show's presenter.
The shows were all filmed since October 2010, when Miss Abbott was promoted to a place on Labour's front bench as a shadow health minister.
Mark Thompson, the Director-General, and the BBC Editorial Complaints Unit received complaints from Lord Laird of Artigarvan, a cross-bench peer, who said the payments to Miss Abbott breached the BBC's own editorial guidelines.
These state: "We should not normally pay MPs, or others clearly identified as representing political parties, for appearances or other contributions to any BBC output in which they are speaking as a member of their party or expressing political views."
When Lord Laird initially raised the matter in a letter to Mr Thompson, he was told that this rule did not apply in Miss Abbott's case because This Week is "not a traditional political programme".
However, he appealed and was told this month by John Hamer of the BBC Trust Unit that the Editorial Standards Committee, which comprises five members of the BBC Trust, would examine the matter this Thursday.
Lord Laird said: "I welcome the fact that the BBC Trust will address whether it's right that a shadow cabinet MP who earns £65,000 a year plus expenses at Westminster is also paid the best part of £1,000 each time she turns up to a BBC studio a few miles from where she lives just to share her political insights.
"The cosy arrangement of any MP receiving licence payers' money for peddling their political views and offering political analysis is highly questionable. The BBC's guidelines make this clear and it's time this issue was addressed."
The Trust's decision, if it goes against Miss Abbott, is likely to trigger a review of the payment policy which could result in a bar on any politician earning appearance fees for taking part in BBC programmes with a political slant.
Sir Menzies Campbell, Charles Kennedy, Hilary Benn, Rory Stewart, Hazel Blears and Caroline Flint are among many MPs who have earned hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds in recent years for participating in BBC political output.
Since January 2011 ex-Home Secretary Alan Johnson, a regular pundit on This Week, has registered £22,750 of BBC payments with Commons authorities.
Veteran broadcaster Peter Sissons, who hosted Question Time on BBC ONE between 1989 and 1993, also criticised the principle of the BBC paying MPs.
Mr Sissons said: "The BBC should not pay MPs just to show up and do a turn when it's part of their job anyway to engage with the media.
"When I worked on Question Time appearance fees for MPs were scrapped. For the BBC to get itself into a position where Diane Abbott earns almost £1,000 from This Week, when it's her job anyway as a shadow cabinet member to put in media appearances, is completely wrong. Political parties themselves should have guidelines on these things."
Under a long-standing arrangement the BBC offers MPs a 'disturbance fee' of up to £200 plus expenses for taking part in Any Questions?
The Daily Politics, on BBC TWO, does not pay guests, though Question Time, on BBC ONE, may do in some cases. Last week in response to a Freedom of Information request the BBC refused to confirm whether any panellists are paid.
This Week, made by production company Juniper since September 2010 and edited by Vicky Flind, wife of BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, has become a money-spinner for some MPs.
As a backbencher Miss Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, was a regular pundit on This Week for seven years until 2010, generating an estimated £75,000 to £120,000 in extra income.
According to the latest Register of MPs' Interests she has scaled back her work on the programme since being promoted to the Labour front bench, accepting six payments of £839 and one of £869.
She appeared on it again on March 8 but no payment for this edition has been declared. Assuming she was paid £839 on that occasion she has earned a total of £6,742 from This Week over the last 18 months.
In May 2010 she was also paid £1,000 for taking part in a celebrity version of the BBC entertainment show Cash In The Attic. And in July 2011 BBC North East paid her £800 to appear in a feature on Ellen Wilkinson, the former Labour MP for Jarrow.
A BBC Trust spokesman said: "The agenda for this meeting has not yet been finalised. We do not comment on committee meeting business before it has been considered by the committee."
Miss Abbott did not return calls.
The BBC has launched an inquiry which could lead to a ban on MPs being paid to appear as guests on programmes.
The move would affect dozens of politicians who are regularly rewarded for their broadcasts, earning up to £200 plus expenses for a turn on Radio 4's Any Questions or more than £500 for BBC One's This Week.
The BBC Trust, which represents licence payers, will rule this week on a dispute over payments to one MP. It is being seen as a test case which, if it goes against the parliamentarian, would result in a tightening of the rules to prevent similar payments in future.
The current dispute centres on payments of almost £6,000 made to Diane Abbott, the Labour MP, for seven appearances as a pundit on This Week alongside Michael Portillo, the former Conservative MP, and Andrew Neil, the show's presenter.
The shows were all filmed since October 2010, when Miss Abbott was promoted to a place on Labour's front bench as a shadow health minister.
Mark Thompson, the Director-General, and the BBC Editorial Complaints Unit received complaints from Lord Laird of Artigarvan, a cross-bench peer, who said the payments to Miss Abbott breached the BBC's own editorial guidelines.
These state: "We should not normally pay MPs, or others clearly identified as representing political parties, for appearances or other contributions to any BBC output in which they are speaking as a member of their party or expressing political views."
When Lord Laird initially raised the matter in a letter to Mr Thompson, he was told that this rule did not apply in Miss Abbott's case because This Week is "not a traditional political programme".
However, he appealed and was told this month by John Hamer of the BBC Trust Unit that the Editorial Standards Committee, which comprises five members of the BBC Trust, would examine the matter this Thursday.
Lord Laird said: "I welcome the fact that the BBC Trust will address whether it's right that a shadow cabinet MP who earns £65,000 a year plus expenses at Westminster is also paid the best part of £1,000 each time she turns up to a BBC studio a few miles from where she lives just to share her political insights.
"The cosy arrangement of any MP receiving licence payers' money for peddling their political views and offering political analysis is highly questionable. The BBC's guidelines make this clear and it's time this issue was addressed."
The Trust's decision, if it goes against Miss Abbott, is likely to trigger a review of the payment policy which could result in a bar on any politician earning appearance fees for taking part in BBC programmes with a political slant.
Sir Menzies Campbell, Charles Kennedy, Hilary Benn, Rory Stewart, Hazel Blears and Caroline Flint are among many MPs who have earned hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds in recent years for participating in BBC political output.
Since January 2011 ex-Home Secretary Alan Johnson, a regular pundit on This Week, has registered £22,750 of BBC payments with Commons authorities.
Veteran broadcaster Peter Sissons, who hosted Question Time on BBC ONE between 1989 and 1993, also criticised the principle of the BBC paying MPs.
Mr Sissons said: "The BBC should not pay MPs just to show up and do a turn when it's part of their job anyway to engage with the media.
"When I worked on Question Time appearance fees for MPs were scrapped. For the BBC to get itself into a position where Diane Abbott earns almost £1,000 from This Week, when it's her job anyway as a shadow cabinet member to put in media appearances, is completely wrong. Political parties themselves should have guidelines on these things."
Under a long-standing arrangement the BBC offers MPs a 'disturbance fee' of up to £200 plus expenses for taking part in Any Questions?
The Daily Politics, on BBC TWO, does not pay guests, though Question Time, on BBC ONE, may do in some cases. Last week in response to a Freedom of Information request the BBC refused to confirm whether any panellists are paid.
This Week, made by production company Juniper since September 2010 and edited by Vicky Flind, wife of BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, has become a money-spinner for some MPs.
As a backbencher Miss Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, was a regular pundit on This Week for seven years until 2010, generating an estimated £75,000 to £120,000 in extra income.
According to the latest Register of MPs' Interests she has scaled back her work on the programme since being promoted to the Labour front bench, accepting six payments of £839 and one of £869.
She appeared on it again on March 8 but no payment for this edition has been declared. Assuming she was paid £839 on that occasion she has earned a total of £6,742 from This Week over the last 18 months.
In May 2010 she was also paid £1,000 for taking part in a celebrity version of the BBC entertainment show Cash In The Attic. And in July 2011 BBC North East paid her £800 to appear in a feature on Ellen Wilkinson, the former Labour MP for Jarrow.
A BBC Trust spokesman said: "The agenda for this meeting has not yet been finalised. We do not comment on committee meeting business before it has been considered by the committee."
Miss Abbott did not return calls.