BBC evaluates Countryfile amid concerns over objectivity

Show has drawn criticism for its coverage of themes like hunting and the environment and is accused of having a pro-Remain bias.

The BBC will examine Countryfile’s objectivity as part of a review of editorial standards.

Concerns about the BBC One program’s objectivity surrounding farming, fox hunting, and environmental issues have been a hot topic.

BBC evaluates Countryfile amid concerns over objectivity

The corporation will evaluate the program’s objectivity, freedom of speech, diversity of viewpoints, accuracy, fairness, and trustworthiness in its internal evaluation.

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At the same time, reviews of BBC Breakfast News and early-morning radio news programs will take place.

The BBC promised that additional programs would air and claimed that Countryfile had not been chosen “due to specific impartiality issues.”

Sources admitted that it was a program that frequently drew criticism, nevertheless.

“Countryfile deals with certain controversial topics that elicit conflicting opinions. The types of issues Countryfile covers make it a good barometer for impartiality, according to an insider. This is the first of many programs we’ll be looking at as part of our review process.

accused of favoring remainers

The program has come under fire for allegedly favoring Brexit amid warnings that restrictions on seasonal migrant workers from the EU will hurt Britain’s fruit industry.

Complaints have also been made about the show’s coverage of subjects including the fall of hedgehogs, badger culls, and fox hunting. Some viewers think the show singles out farmers while others think it gives priority to the viewpoints of farmers above those of environmentalists and wildlife advocates.

The initiative has also acquired the moniker “Towniefile” among some farmers who believe it is intended more for city dwellers who take day trips to the countryside than for those who live there.

The sheep farmer and author James Rebanks claimed last year that Jeremy Clarkson’s Amazon series, Clarkson’s Farm, had done more for farmers than Countryfile had in three decades.

Since Countryfile’s entire premise is that you can’t produce a mainstream, prime-time TV program about farming, Rebanks claimed that farmers have been “frankly p— off with Countryfile for nearly 30 years.”

‘Enhance standards’ plan

According to the corporation, the evaluation of Countryfile, BBC Breakfast, and local news is a part of a larger effort to “improve standards.”

In a follow-up, the BBC stated that questions on impartiality had been added to the annual employee poll for the first time and that 94% of participants said they understood the significance of impartiality.

According to the BBC, “the editorial rules are now more explicitly promoted on the internal website of the BBC to deepen understanding, and there is ongoing work with content teams to facilitate more open debate around editorial problems.”

The business has also made information about its whistleblowing policy available, giving employees and independent contractors a “confidential mechanism” to voice their concerns.

It comes after Lord Dyson’s damning investigation into Martin Bashir’s 1995 Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales.

The BBC agreed to compensate Mark Killick, the former Panorama journalist who initially voiced concerns about Bashir’s tactics, “substantial” damages earlier this week.

The existence of fake bank statements that were used to persuade the Princess to meet with Bashir was first made known to the BBC by Mr. Killick. As a result, according to Mr. Killick, he was fired for “disloyalty” and afterwards defamed by the broadcaster.

Sources: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/07/01/bbc-reviews-countryfile-fairness-amid-impartiality-row/come