BBC Bias? No, Press And Tory Lies

Today has brought a superb example of relentless press falsehood and misinformation gradually seeping into public consciousness, that result then being fraudulently used to peddle yet more falsehood and misinformation. The target is the BBC, whose level of impartiality the press cannot equal, and so it has to be dragged down to the level of right-wing propaganda rags.

The Tories have briefed the increasingly desperate and downmarket Telegraph in pursuit of their target, telling readers “BBC faces tougher scrutiny over bias … Ofcom to police web and social media as minister raises viewers’ impartiality fears”. And those fears are what, exactly? Ah, but that, as Number Two told Number Six, would be telling. So we aren’t told.

That this is just another load of weapons grade bullpucky is then given away in the first paragraph. “BBC audiences think the Corporation is not ‘sufficiently impartial’, the Culture Secretary says today as she announces tougher scrutiny of the broadcaster to deal with perceived bias”. Those quote marks are because there is no evidence to back up the claim.

You think I jest? It did not take much probing from concerned journalists during this morning’s media round for Lucy Frazer (for it was she) to be exposed simultaneously as both utter charlatan and busted flush. It did not help that her interview on ITV Good Morning Britain was conducted by Susanna Reid, who knows a little about working at the Beeb.

“What is the BBC not impartial on?” she asked Ms Frazer. Who stonewalled from the off. “A large part of that will be about its news, but also in its programming as a whole”. “What are people complaining that the BBC is not impartial about?” asked Ms Reid, possibly knowing her interviewee had no evidence. More flannelling. More waffle. But then came a specific.

Sort of. “What is BBC News getting wrong?” asked Ms Reid. “Take, for instance, the recent coverage … Gaza and Israel … What we saw there was that the BBC … a significant number of complaints … and what we’ve seen is that it did make an error”. Making an error is not bias, or lack of impartiality. And it got worse as Ms Frazer arrived at Sky News to talk to Kay Burley.

Come on Kay! “Do you think the BBC is biased?” What say Ms Frazer? “I do think that, on occasion, it has been biased, yes”. Ms Burley was not impressed. “In relation to what?” Out came the Israel - Gaza example and the Beeb saying sorry. There was a difference between a mistake and bias. “There is a perception among the public that the BBC is biased” she claimed.

Ms Burley continued to be unimpressed. “I’m talking about evidence of bias. Where’s the evidence?” Ms Frazer offered “The evidence of bias is what the audience believe …”. That, Ms Burley corrected her, was perception, not evidence. There was, though, evidence from Ofcom, who had done questionnaires and studies. So maybe someone could pony up the results?

Until then, all we have is the Tel whining “The BBC was last month accused of offering a ‘steady diet of woke bias’, with a review of its output suggesting prejudice in coverage of debates over race and gender”. Who made the accusation? What review? Why a mere “suggestion”? And while you’re at it, give a definition of “Woke”. And why you’re misusing the term.

This is nothing more than an attempt by the Tories, and their pals in the right-leaning part of our free and fearless press, to go after the BBC on the back of absolutely zero evidence. In the days of Bill Deedes’ Telegraph, this excuse for journalism would have been instantly spiked, if anyone had been foolish enough to offer it up for publication. The culprit may then have been sacked.

But the claims of bias are given the full support of the perpetually thirsty Paul Staines and his rabble at the Guido Fawkes blog. Who shill remorselessly for the Tories without having to face the inconvenience of questioning. This tells you that the Telegraph “story” was prompted by CCHQ. It also shows why the Tories are so frightened about the Tel changing hands.

No use peddling this drivel if ministers cannot defend it. Just a thought.

Enjoy your visit to Zelo Street? You can help this truly independent blog carry on talking truth to power, while retaining its sense of humour, by becoming a Patron on Patreon at

https://www.patreon.com/Timfenton