Post by Teddy Bear on Feb 23, 2010 19:19:05 GMT
The 'Care Not Killing Alliance' accused the BBC of flouting impartiality rules and adopting a “campaigning stance” in an attempt to step up pressure on the Government to legalise assisted suicide.
The apparent justification for this accusation follows airing a speech in its entirety by Sir Terry Pratchett earlier this month advocating "euthanasia tribunals". Other sources that have noted this bias include these Peer demands talks with BBC on its coverage of assisted suicide and Bias at the BBC as broadcaster adds assisted suicide to portfolio of pet causes
The BBC have so much contempt and disregard now for any complaints levelled at them that they don't even bother to address the particular area of concern, but instead just issue a stock phrase.
"There is no campaign," said a BBC News spokesman,
" What there is; however, is the BBC's duty to report topical issues in the public domain. Of course the BBC takes its responsibilities very seriously.
"That’s why we have approached this issue in a careful, balanced, and impartial way. We understand people hold very strong views, but equally, it is a legitimate topic for journalism and current affairs - it is important to report on difficult issues and not shy away from them. And it has never been the case that reporting on any topic, no matter how difficult, is in any way an endorsement of a viewpoint."
I would happily assist in 'the suicide' of the BBC, and fervently hope this forum increases its possibility.
The apparent justification for this accusation follows airing a speech in its entirety by Sir Terry Pratchett earlier this month advocating "euthanasia tribunals". Other sources that have noted this bias include these Peer demands talks with BBC on its coverage of assisted suicide and Bias at the BBC as broadcaster adds assisted suicide to portfolio of pet causes
The BBC have so much contempt and disregard now for any complaints levelled at them that they don't even bother to address the particular area of concern, but instead just issue a stock phrase.
"There is no campaign," said a BBC News spokesman,
" What there is; however, is the BBC's duty to report topical issues in the public domain. Of course the BBC takes its responsibilities very seriously.
"That’s why we have approached this issue in a careful, balanced, and impartial way. We understand people hold very strong views, but equally, it is a legitimate topic for journalism and current affairs - it is important to report on difficult issues and not shy away from them. And it has never been the case that reporting on any topic, no matter how difficult, is in any way an endorsement of a viewpoint."
I would happily assist in 'the suicide' of the BBC, and fervently hope this forum increases its possibility.
BBC accused of 'incredibly zealous' campaign to promote assisted suicide
The BBC faces accusations of waging an “incredibly zealous” campaign in favour of assisted suicide from a coalition led by Lord Carlile, the Government’s terror watchdog.
By Heidi Blake
The Care Not Killing Alliance accused the BBC of flouting impartiality rules and adopting a “campaigning stance” in an attempt to step up pressure on the Government to legalise assisted suicide.
The decision to broadcast Sir Terry Pratchett's speech advocating "euthanasia tribunals" in full earlier this month was an example of unbalanced reporting, the alliance claimed.
Lord Carlile, chairman of the alliance and the Government's independent reviewer of terror legislation, has demanded a meeting with BBC bosses to seek answers over the “biased” coverage.
In a letter to Sir Michael Lyons, the chairman of the BBC trust, the Liberal Democrat peer also raised questions over the corporation’s failure to inform police that a veteran presenter had confessed to killing his lover on one of its programmes.
Ray Gosling admitted smothering a man who was dying of AIDS on Inside Out, which was broadcast on BBC East Midlands last Monday.
Police were unaware of the confession before the programme was aired, but have since arrested and questioned Mr Gosling on suspicion of murder. He was bailed on Friday.
The BBC maintains that it was under “no legal obligation” to inform police of Mr Gosling’s confession. A spokesman for the Trust said Sir Michael had not yet received Lord Carlile’s letter and would respond when it arrived.
"There is no campaign," said a BBC News spokesman,
" What there is; however, is the BBC's duty to report topical issues in the public domain. Of course the BBC takes its responsibilities very seriously.
"That’s why we have approached this issue in a careful, balanced, and impartial way. We understand people hold very strong views, but equally, it is a legitimate topic for journalism and current affairs - it is important to report on difficult issues and not shy away from them. And it has never been the case that reporting on any topic, no matter how difficult, is in any way an endorsement of a viewpoint."
The BBC faces accusations of waging an “incredibly zealous” campaign in favour of assisted suicide from a coalition led by Lord Carlile, the Government’s terror watchdog.
By Heidi Blake
The Care Not Killing Alliance accused the BBC of flouting impartiality rules and adopting a “campaigning stance” in an attempt to step up pressure on the Government to legalise assisted suicide.
The decision to broadcast Sir Terry Pratchett's speech advocating "euthanasia tribunals" in full earlier this month was an example of unbalanced reporting, the alliance claimed.
Lord Carlile, chairman of the alliance and the Government's independent reviewer of terror legislation, has demanded a meeting with BBC bosses to seek answers over the “biased” coverage.
In a letter to Sir Michael Lyons, the chairman of the BBC trust, the Liberal Democrat peer also raised questions over the corporation’s failure to inform police that a veteran presenter had confessed to killing his lover on one of its programmes.
Ray Gosling admitted smothering a man who was dying of AIDS on Inside Out, which was broadcast on BBC East Midlands last Monday.
Police were unaware of the confession before the programme was aired, but have since arrested and questioned Mr Gosling on suspicion of murder. He was bailed on Friday.
The BBC maintains that it was under “no legal obligation” to inform police of Mr Gosling’s confession. A spokesman for the Trust said Sir Michael had not yet received Lord Carlile’s letter and would respond when it arrived.
"There is no campaign," said a BBC News spokesman,
" What there is; however, is the BBC's duty to report topical issues in the public domain. Of course the BBC takes its responsibilities very seriously.
"That’s why we have approached this issue in a careful, balanced, and impartial way. We understand people hold very strong views, but equally, it is a legitimate topic for journalism and current affairs - it is important to report on difficult issues and not shy away from them. And it has never been the case that reporting on any topic, no matter how difficult, is in any way an endorsement of a viewpoint."