BBC: Impartiality

Earl of Effingham Excerpts

Thursday 28th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I agree with the noble Baroness’s first point; everyone across your Lordships’ House will get frustrated at some point, which is probably a sign that the BBC is on the right track. On news and current affairs, as the Question suggests, all broadcasters have a responsibility to be duly accurate and impartial. It is for Ofcom, as the regulator, to ensure compliance. We believe it takes that responsibility seriously.

[The Earl of Effingham (Con)]

My Lords, we live in a world where social media has a huge impact on public discourse. Can the Minister explain how the Government will monitor the activity of all BBC employees on social media and ensure that it does not undermine the perception of the BBC’s required impartiality?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I assume that, like all organisations in the public sector, the BBC will have internal processes to monitor this, and a social media policy.