BBC admits interview clip with Doctor Who's Russell T Davies broke impartiality rules

BBC admits interview clip with Doctor Who's Russell T Davies broke impartiality rules

Postby dutchman » Fri Aug 12, 2022 2:59 am

Davies commented on the government's plan to privatise Channel 4

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The BBC has admitted that a BAFTA TV Awards interview with Russell T Davies broke its impartiality rules on political matters.

In a video aired during a BBC News report on May 8, Doctor Who's returning showrunner criticised the government's plan to privatise Channel 4 and scrap the BBC licence fee.

Davies, who was attending the ceremony as his LGBTQ+ show It's A Sin had landed eight nominations, said he was "completely surprised and completely thrilled and it's so nice to see that cast being recognised tonight".

"And of course it was made on a channel that the government's going to sell off, while they're also planning to get rid of the BBC licence fee – so, if you like shows like this, go and vote differently, that's what I say," he continued.

The BBC's Executive Complaints Unit recently published an explanation for the incident, clarifying that the clip had been selected by mistake (via Metro).

"The reporter and producer were on location at the awards ceremony rather than at New Broadcasting House where the material was edited together," it reads.

"The reporter's commentary was designed to introduce a remark about Doctor Who, but a different clip was selected by mistake," it continues.

"The strong political view it included was not balanced by any reflection of Government policy during the news channel's coverage of the BAFTAs that evening, and was therefore in breach of the BBC's requirement to show impartiality on politically controversial matters."


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