THE BBC must “better represent the whole of the UK”, a new Ofcom report has found.
The watchdog said BBC News was seen by some as “representing a white, middle-class and London-centric point of view that is not relevant to their lives”.
The results have been published in Ofcom’s second annual report into BBC News and current affairs.
READ MORE: Experts say BBC ‘misleading’ people on Scotland’s NHS in open letter
The SNP welcomed the report, saying it showed the BBC had failed to “adequately represent Scotland”.
Ofcom’s findings said: “The BBC’s heritage and longevity can inspire trust, but we also heard the BBC described as Westminster-focused and speaking for, and to, a small section of society.
“Some viewers told us they see the BBC’s television bulletins as stuffy and limited in range.”
The watchdog also found that viewers worried about the corporation’s approach to impartiality, especially its inclusion of “controversial viewpoints”.
Ofcom said its research showed viewers felt “extreme political views” were given “undue prominence” on the news agenda.
Keith Brown, the SNP’s depute leader, said: “It couldn’t be clearer, Ofcom has put it in black and white that the BBC ‘should better represent the whole of the UK’ which shows they have not been adequately representing Scotland.
“The BBC’s news coverage of Scotland is all too often insufficient; the days of Scotland being ignored and treated as a tick box by the network must now end.
“We’ve been pointing out the BBC network’s failings in Scotland for some time but the BBC haven’t always respond well to criticism.
“Now they have to respond to Ofcom and admit that fresh thinking is urgently required. BBC bosses have huge sums of cash at their disposal and they should use this to overcome their Westminster centric output by creating properly funded fresh news and political programmes that are representative and relevant to audiences in Scotland and across the UK.”
The BBC said it welcomed the report’s recognition of its “trusted, accurate news” service.
READ MORE: The National is hosting an indyref2 rally – and Nicola Sturgeon is speaking
It said: “Ofcom notes that people’s perceptions of due impartiality are often coloured by their own beliefs and that the BBC’s unique status means we are subject to greater scrutiny than other news providers.
“As Ofcom points out, it has not upheld any complaint against the BBC on the grounds of impartiality. Being an impartial broadcaster means people will hear from a wide range of people, including views that they don’t agree with, but we will continue to give different views their due weight so audiences have the context they need to understand what’s happening in the world.
“We are committed to ensuring the BBC serves all audiences and reflects, and represents the whole of today’s UK, and while we have made progress in reflecting this in our workforce we have been clear there is still more to do.”
Ofcom will also launch a review of the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Studios, after it “reduced the granularity” of its financial reporting. The regulator said the BBC “withdrew its voluntary commitment” to report separate financials for its production business and its distribution division and offered only “a superficial explanation” as to why.
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