Complaint on Dimbleby Interruptions Any Questions 3.iv.15

[charmbrights]

Submitted complaint:

Complaint title: Chairman's excessive interventions

Complaint description: Why does the chairman (Mr.Dumbleby) intervene with his own questions so often? He asked many more questions than the audience were allowed, many of which he knew would either not be answered or would provoke "party line" answers.

Why is this allowed to happen regularly without any attempt visible to control him?

Why is the answer I will receive to this complaint essentially "we have heard your complaint but we reject it"?

[Teddy Bear]

As you already state Charm, it's a rhetorical question.
We know why he does it, and we know why the BBC will respond as they do.
But well done for trying

[thehighlandrebel]

Nothing compared to the Abominable Snowman on C4 'news' though.

[Teddy Bear]

What's that about THR?

[thehighlandrebel]

I'm referring to Jon Snow on Channel 4 news. He interrupts the answer to every question he puts especially if the interviewee is right wing or Jewish such as this

www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2700761/EPHRAIM-HARDCASTLE-Jon-Snow-aggressive-interrogation-Israeli-spokesman.html

[Teddy Bear]

Gotcha
Hadn't heard that used before for him but it fits perfectly.
Like it!

[charmbrights]

The (non)response:

Reference CAS-3248577-B95M0T

Thanks for contacting us regarding 'Any Questions?' on the 4th April.

I understand that you feel that David Dimbleby intervenes with his own questions.

Thoughts on individual presenters and commentators can vary considerably so it's inevitable some viewers or listeners will dislike or disapprove of certain presenters and commentators.

All our programme contributors are appointed on the basis of their experience, knowledge and talent, but judgements are often subjective and we would never expect everyone to agree with every choice we make, and appreciate that sometimes it can take time for viewers and listeners to get used to a particular individual's style of presentation or commentary.

BBC presenters are well aware of our commitment to impartial reporting. They are expected to put their own political views to one side when carrying out their work for the BBC.

Senior editorial staff, the Executive Committee and the BBC Trust keep a close watch on programmes to ensure that standards of impartiality are maintained.

The interviewer's job is to put the questions likely to be in the minds of informed viewers and to look for answers. While this can lead to forceful and persistent questioning, most leading politicians expect their views to be put under scrutiny and are prepared to respond with corresponding firmness.

Those being interviewed can sometimes significantly influence the style and outcome of the interview by their unwillingness to respond to certain questions. The interviewer’s intention in this situation is not to generate hostility but to persist in pressing for answers to important questions with the proper combination of firmness and civility.

Nevertheless, we value all of our audience feedback and your concerns have been sent across to senior management. They have also been published on our overnight report which circulates the BBC daily. This helps to inform and educate current and future broadcasts.

Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.

Kind regards

Nicola Stewart

BBC Complaints

[Teddy Bear]

The usual assumption that the public is stupid is part of the BBC ethos.
Well done again Charm for trying.