The BBCs appalling news service to the Celtic countries of the United Kingdom is once again to come under scrutiny.
Professor Tony King, a highly-respected politics academic from Essex University, and Mike Robinson, former editor of the long-running current affairs series Panorama will head a major enquiry into coverage of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on flagship news programmes such as News at 10 and other bulletins presented by newsreaders like Huw Edwards and Fiona Bruce.
The enquiry seems designed to head of growing criticisms particularly in Scotland and Wales about poor coverage of news and current affairs especially in the poor devolution period.
Meanwhile the BBC continues to ignore its responsibilities outside the United Kingdom and its service to the smallest Celtic country, the Isle of Man, is still virtually none existent despite the levying of a multi million pound licence fee in the dependent territory. Disgracefully the Island still finds the paucity of news coverage it does receive served-up as part of the appalling BBC North West regional news service.
Commenting on the review BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said;
“In all the trust's work we will uphold the independence and reputation of the BBC.
“Each year we will commission a review of BBC impartiality in its coverage of a specific topic. In response to feedback from our audience councils and audience research we have selected network news and factual coverage of the UK nations for our next review.”
Nationalist politicians in Scotland and Wales exasperated by BBC bias are unlikely to be impressed by this 'flannel'.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
17/11/07
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