IN 2013, was the BBC offered a deal with the Tory government that it couldn’t refuse? The consistency of its anti-independence coverage was no accident. Well-documented details of its pro-Union stance were heavily criticised by
many including the National Union of Journalists, Dr John Robertson from the University of the West of Scotland, the BBC Trust’s own advisory body in Scotland and the Audience Council Scotland.
READ MORE: Scotland's voice in the UK is being silenced by the BBC
An article in The Sunday Times claimed that the BBC regularly tipped off Better Together in advance of studio debates. Former BBC correspondent Paul Mason said on leaving: “Not since Iraq have I seen BBC News working at propaganda strength like this. So glad I’m out of there.” Channel 4’s then director of creative diversity, Stuart Cosgrove, illustrated how the BBC deliberately covered the referendum like a party political debate, ensuring the indy supporters were outnumbered and given less air time than all the other pro-Union political parties.
The BBC managed to alienate half the population of Scotland while trashing any semblance of impartiality, so what did it gain from its slanted coverage?
Well they have just announced an increase in the TV licence, a move to decriminalise non-payers was dropped by George Osborne and those over 75 will have to pay or risk imprisonmentf. How will the BBC cover a future indyref? Have there already been talks behind the scenes planning their strategy? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Mike Herd
Highland
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel