Gaza: BBC Coverage
Debate between Lord Fowler and Baroness Twycross
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross) (Lab)
My Lords, it is right that the BBC is conducting a thorough investigation into what happened and who knew what, when. I will not prejudge the outcome of the BBC’s investigation. As the noble Lord is aware, the BBC is operationally and editorially independent of government, but we expect it to continue to follow robust procedures to protect taxpayers’ money and uphold the high standards the public and this Government rightly expect. The noble Lord will be aware of the letter that Ofcom sent the BBC, and the Secretary of State spoke to both the chair and the director-general of the BBC last week. She expects a clear response from them on a number of points.
Lord Fowler (CB)
My Lords, I fully share the noble Lord’s criticism of the particular programme, but we should recognise that that in no way describes the BBC’s general coverage of Gaza. Speaking as a former journalist who covered a Middle East war, I was struck by the way BBC journalists strived for impartiality in all their reporting. As far as I can see, that is the same today.
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
First, this incident is clearly very serious and, secondly, we expect that high standard of journalism. It is why the BBC has traditionally been a trusted source of news, both in this country and overseas. That is one of the reasons why this incident is so serious.
While we are talking about journalism in the context of Gaza, the House should also be aware that a considerable number of journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began. So there is a wider context as well, but, on the specifics, it is right that this issue be investigated.
BBC: Impartiality
Debate between Lord Fowler and Baroness Twycross
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.