'Angry' Ark Royal crew switch off BBC
The BBC has been axed from the nation's flagship naval vessel following claims of pro-Iraqi bias.
The Navy says it has switched off News 24 aboard HMS Ark Royal after complaints by the crew.
It is one of a handful of task force ships which receives live TV direct from Britain.
Rolling news plus two entertainment channels are beamed into the warship.
A BBC correspondent has been on board but the crew say they have no gripe with his reports.
However they were annoyed by the comments of presenters and commentators reporting on the carrier's Sea King tragedy a fortnight ago.
The BBC suggested poor levels of maintenance played a hand in the deaths of seven fliers.
Sailors also believe the news organisation places more faith in Iraqi reports than information coming from British or Allied sources.
One senior rating said: "The BBC always takes the Iraqis' side. It reports what they say as gospel but when it comes to us it questions and doubts everything the British and Americans are reporting. A lot of people on board are very unhappy."
Ark has replaced the BBC with rival broadcaster Sky News.
Story filed: 10:25 Tuesday 8th April 2003