Robert @Peston said any suggestion the @BBC has a left-wing bias is #bollocks the broadcaster veers towards a right-wing, pro-establishment view for fear of criticism. One of BBC Newss most famous presenters believes the corporation actually veers towards the right and has grown obsessed with covering the same stories as newspapers supporting the Conservatives #Economics Editor Robert Peston, who became a household name covering the #financial #crisis, said his employers anxiety about perceived bias against the right - which Tory MPs and current employees have accused it of - was a myth that actually made it go in the opposite direction. Peston said any suggestion the BBC has a left-wing bias is bollocks and the broadcaster actually veers towards a right-wing, pro-establishment view for fear of criticism. He made the comment after giving the Charles Wheeler Lecture on journalism in London on Thursday, which followed Channel 4 News legend Jon Snow receiving an award. Peston was asked whether he agreed with Jeff Randall, the corporations former business editor, that it had an institutional left-wing bias. Peston said: Look, I love Jeff. Hes a great mate of mine. But its bollocks really. If Im honest, the BBCs routinely so anxious about being accused of being left-wing, it quite often veers in what you might call a very pro-establishment, [a] rather right-wing direction, so that its not accused of that. He said the broadcaster had grown completely obsessed with following the news agenda set by coverage of the right-wing papers such as The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail. Theres a slightly safety first thing at the BBC - that if we think the #Mail or the #Telegraph is gonna lead with it, then we should lead with it, he said. I happen to think thats mad. Pestons comments echo a University of Cardiff report published in February.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 12:29:50 +0000
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