Left-wing bias? It's written through the BBC's very DNA, says Peter Sissons

Daily Mail ^ | 22nd January 2011 | Peter Sissons

[ventanax5]

For 20 years I was a front man at the BBC, anchoring news and current affairs programmes, so I reckon nobody is better placed than me to answer the question that nags at many of its viewers — is the BBC biased? In my view, ‘bias’ is too blunt a word to describe the subtleties of the pervading culture. The better word is a ‘mindset’. At the core of the BBC, in its very DNA, is a way of thinking that is firmly of the Left. By far the most popular and widely read newspapers at the BBC are The Guardian and The Independent. ­Producers refer to them routinely for the line to take on running stories, and for inspiration on which items to cover. In the later stages of my career, I lost count of the number of times I asked a producer for a brief on a story, only to be handed a copy of The Guardian and told ‘it’s all in there’.

[Keith in Iowa]

BBC is liberal??

Next thing we’ll learn is water is wet. And bears crap in the woods.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

One could change BBC to ABC, NBC, CBS, or CNN and the article would still be perfectly accurate.

[Frantzie]

The BBC is also anti white people unless they are very liberal.

[eclecticEel]

the question that nags at many of its viewers — is the BBC biased?

How brain dead to you have to be to ask that question? I enjoy listening to the BBC World Service, but com'on the bias is so extreme it's almost surreal.

[truthguy]

The late William F. Buckley said nearly the same thing many years ago about the American media. Today we call it the MSM. The BBC is probably worse if that's possible. A mindset is a very difficult thing to get past. For those who have this liberal bias, well they cannot even see it. I know many of these people and they believe they are middle of the road.

The problem is at least in part organic. People who are predisposed (or raised in a liberal manner) tend to be attracted to media (print or broadcast). People who are conservative or moderate my nature tend to be attracted to Business, Engineering, Science and the like. Of course there are many exceptions but that's the biggest part of the problem.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Q: What is the difference between the BBC and Cuba?

A; One is a ruthless left wing dictatorship that suppresses all dissent, the other is an island in the Caribbean.

[jiggyboy]

I asked a producer for a brief on a story, only to be handed a copy of The Guardian and told ‘it’s all in there’.

John Stossell tells a similar story of his early days in local TV in NY -- the editor of the evening news broadcast would just cut up the front page of the NYT and dole out the pieces to the reporters and producers.

[balls]

I think it was Stossell who said all news around the world is pooled and there are only about 100 actual reporters covering the globe.

[jmacusa]

During Operation Iraqi Freedom Royal Navy personnel aboard the aircraft carrier Ark Royal I believe, demanded that the BBC be taken off the ships tv. They couldn’t stand it and demanded that Sky News(the UK’s Fox’s News) be shown in it’s place.

[Steve Van Doorn]

I like that one! :)

[Vanders9]

I think that you have hit the nail on the head here. This indefinable "mindset" thing is very pervasive and, as you say, largely indistinguishable by the people themselves. The BBC prides itself on being even-handed (even though it quite comprehensivily is not). Most of its reporters would be very genuinely hurt to be told they are biased.

I know some people on these boards have bought into left wing media conspiracy theories. Personally I think thats a bit paranoid. The reality is, frighteningly enough, even worse. This kind of media bias is self-perpetuating. People tend to befriend, associate with, and employ people like themselves. The mainstream media is a cosy little club, and it doesnt welcome outside opinions...

[thecodont]

He could be talking about many major news organizations and universities in America.