BBC accused of bias on immigration…by its own political editor: Nick Robinson…

Mail on Sunday (UK) ^ | 19:28 EST, 5 January 2014 | Tamara Cohen

[Olog-hai]

The BBC made a “terrible mistake” by not reflecting the public’s concerns about immigration, its political editor has admitted.

Nick Robinson said that during Labour’s years in government, BBC executives feared an uncensored debate about the issue would stoke racism.

As a result, viewers’ concerns about pressure on jobs and wages, and cultural tensions, were not aired as the BBC “had decided these are not acceptable views—and that was a terrible mistake”.

Claiming that attitudes have changed, Mr. Robinson was speaking ahead of tomorrow’s screening of his documentary The Truth About Immigration, which is set to reveal new data about the scale of public concerns. …

[Olog-hai]

Full Daily Mail title:

BBC accused of bias on immigration…by its own political editor: Nick Robinson says Corporation made ‘terrible mistakes’ by not reflecting public’s concerns

Welcome to the reality about left-wing politics, Mr. Robinson. (Although I suspect that this documentary is self-censored enough.)

[Pontiac]

BBC made a “terrible mistake” by not reflecting the public’s concerns about immigration, its political editor has admitted.

In Great Britain the BBC still has a monopoly on broadcast news doesn’t it?

I really don’t see why the public is okay with that; there should be an outcry for ending that monopoly.

A huge number of people get their news entirely from TV and/or radio. Having to depend on a government agency to supply you with news is far from okay.

For me at least; the last place I want to get news or analysis of current events is the government.

[Olog-hai]

Nope: ITV has had their own news broadcasts since about 1955. There is also Sky Network, the “evil” Murdoch satellite entity, which has been around since 1990.

[Pontiac]

Ah, I new about Sky but had a senior moment.

But I imagine they still have to pay the yearly tax to support the BBC.

I enjoy a few of the programs on BBC America but I can not support the idea of taxing the public for government produced entertainment and propaganda.

[Winniesboy]

I can not support the idea of taxing the public for government produced entertainment and propaganda.

Whatever else the BBC is or isn't, its programmes are certainly not 'government produced'. Despite its funding being routed through government, the BBC has always jealously defended its independence, from the early days of John Reith and his legendary battles with Churchill. In consequence more or less every government, of whatever party, including the current one, has at some time or another accused the BBC of producing anti-government propaganda. Churchill, on one of his off days, briefly toyed with the idea of bringing the BBC under government control in wartime conditions, but wisely thought better of it.