BBC: Impartiality

Lord Fowler Excerpts

Thursday 28th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I look forward to reading the report that the noble Baroness refers to. The Government recognise that society’s shift online presents new challenges and opportunities to news media as well as to the provision of trustworthy information. That involves the issues around trust, which the noble Baroness referred to. I will ensure that there is a response to the report and look forward to debating it when it comes before your Lordships’ House.

[Lord Fowler (CB)]

My Lords, I do not agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Deech. The most important people in any news organisation, surely, are not the armchair correspondents, commentators or, for that matter, critics but the reporters. Is it not a fact that the BBC has a reputation around the world for the accuracy of its reporting? Surely our concern should be not the BBC but the overseas Governments who exclude outside reporters from what is happening on the ground in their countries.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I agree that the BBC has a very positive reputation overseas. The correct handling of complaints is part of that reputation and sustains it. It is a really important part of our soft diplomacy, which is why the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, announced yesterday that the Government will provide the BBC World Service with a funding uplift of £32.6 million in 2025-26.