BBC 'Liberal bias' to be investigated

The investigation will look at whether the BBC has reported topics of religion, immigration and Europe with impartiality, and it’s coverage of Islamophobia may also come under review.

Lord Patten, chairman of the BBC Trust, said these are the topics that have drawn the most criticism from the corporation’s critics.

He said “The subjects we thought we would cover, because they are subjects we have had criticism from time to time about breadth of voice issues, are Europe, immigration and religion,”

 “We’ve been criticised in those areas and we think it’s very important to listen to that criticism, not necessarily because it’s right but because it reflects real and interesting concerns.”

This review is a follow-up to a 2007 report called From Seesaw to Wagon Wheel, which found that technological and social change had led to a spread of opinion that went beyond the traditional divide of left versus right, reports the Telegraph.

The report set out principles for the BBC to ensure it remained impartial and provided the full breadth of views in its reporting.

The new review, to be led by the former ITV chief executive Stuart Prebble, will check on the progress made by the broadcaster since then.

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