Post by Teddy Bear on Jun 10, 2015 17:13:28 GMT
While the BBC claim that their coverage of our EU participation is unbiased, enough MPs realize that is not the case and want to appoint an independent adjudicator to ensure a true balanced coverage in the time leading up to the referendum.
What's taken so long?
What's taken so long?
BBC could be forced by law to cover EU referendum impartially
MPs have amended the European Union Referendum Bill to appoint an independent “impartiality adjudicator” to rule on alleged broadcasting bias during the campaign
Christopher Hope By Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspondent
The BBC could be forced by law to be impartial during the European Union referendum campaign, under changes to the broadcasting laws tabled by backbenchers.
MPs including Bill Cash, John Redwood, Peter Bone and Christopher Chope want the Government to appoint an independent “impartiality adjudicator” to rule on alleged broadcasting bias during the campaign.
The new watchdog would be appointed to police all output during the in/out referendum campaign, and provide rulings on allegations of bias within 24 hours.
David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has committed to holding the referendum before the end of 2017. A Government enshrining the vote in law is due to be inforce by the end of this year.
The amendments – which are set to be debated on the floor of the House of Commons next week - also seek to stop the Government holding the referendum on the same day as other local elections and to stop civil servants issuing pro-EU documents right up to voting day.
The European Scrutiny Committee found in a report in March that the corporation's coverage of the EU was biased and letting down viewers.
Sir William Cash, who at the time was the chairman, said: “From the debate yesterday it is clear that there are reservations in the way that the Government is trying to condition the advantages for the ‘yes’ vote
“This is denied by the Government but the sense of the House is otherwise and we have seen this before on all EU matters.
“The amendments deal with purdah and the question of the manner in which the Government is trying to achieve the timing and the BBC, which the European scrutiny committee this year issued a severe criticism of its pro-European bias.
“The broadcasting impartiality clause would need to be in place during the referendum itself and provide independent adjudication and correct any justified complaint within one day.”
The committee's report in March found the Corporation was failing its own promise to cover Europe impartially and there were "deep concerns" about the breadth of topics investigated.
It was deplorable bosses repeatedly refused invitations to appear before MPs and said the Corporation must show it can cover all sides of the debate on Europe, the MPs said.
The BBC has always denied bias. In March a Corporation spokesman said: "As Lord Hall told the committee, we are and will be impartial in all matters concerning our coverage.
"The BBC provides extensive coverage of both European and Parliamentary issues and while we respect the committee's role, it would obviously be a breach of our independence if a committee of MPs were to instruct us how to cover an individual issue or story."
MPs have amended the European Union Referendum Bill to appoint an independent “impartiality adjudicator” to rule on alleged broadcasting bias during the campaign
Christopher Hope By Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspondent
The BBC could be forced by law to be impartial during the European Union referendum campaign, under changes to the broadcasting laws tabled by backbenchers.
MPs including Bill Cash, John Redwood, Peter Bone and Christopher Chope want the Government to appoint an independent “impartiality adjudicator” to rule on alleged broadcasting bias during the campaign.
The new watchdog would be appointed to police all output during the in/out referendum campaign, and provide rulings on allegations of bias within 24 hours.
David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has committed to holding the referendum before the end of 2017. A Government enshrining the vote in law is due to be inforce by the end of this year.
The amendments – which are set to be debated on the floor of the House of Commons next week - also seek to stop the Government holding the referendum on the same day as other local elections and to stop civil servants issuing pro-EU documents right up to voting day.
The European Scrutiny Committee found in a report in March that the corporation's coverage of the EU was biased and letting down viewers.
Sir William Cash, who at the time was the chairman, said: “From the debate yesterday it is clear that there are reservations in the way that the Government is trying to condition the advantages for the ‘yes’ vote
“This is denied by the Government but the sense of the House is otherwise and we have seen this before on all EU matters.
“The amendments deal with purdah and the question of the manner in which the Government is trying to achieve the timing and the BBC, which the European scrutiny committee this year issued a severe criticism of its pro-European bias.
“The broadcasting impartiality clause would need to be in place during the referendum itself and provide independent adjudication and correct any justified complaint within one day.”
The committee's report in March found the Corporation was failing its own promise to cover Europe impartially and there were "deep concerns" about the breadth of topics investigated.
It was deplorable bosses repeatedly refused invitations to appear before MPs and said the Corporation must show it can cover all sides of the debate on Europe, the MPs said.
The BBC has always denied bias. In March a Corporation spokesman said: "As Lord Hall told the committee, we are and will be impartial in all matters concerning our coverage.
"The BBC provides extensive coverage of both European and Parliamentary issues and while we respect the committee's role, it would obviously be a breach of our independence if a committee of MPs were to instruct us how to cover an individual issue or story."