This month, it was intriguing to read of Mark Thompson, Director General of theBBC, conceding that the Corporation was guilty of a “massive bias to the Left” in the past. Many politicians on the right would agree with this assessment and might suggest that the bias sometimes continues today. An internal report from 2007 added to the evidence in saying that the Corporation had to make greater efforts to avoid liberal bias. This is all rather disturbing for a publicly-funded body.
Nobody should want a “yes-press” in a democracy. Those of us engaged in politics should expect to be subject to public comment and scrutiny. The right of the press to do this is fundamental for the purpose ofinformed debate and ultimatelyinformed voting.
As some of those people being scrutinised, politicians are also entitled to express a view about how it is done. Television and radio are incredibly powerful media but with an obligation to show some balance and objectivity. The ability to be seen on television can be a mixed blessing especially if you judge that you have a good face for radio.
Newspapers do not have quite the same obligation regarding balance and objectivity although many will attempt this as a matter of principled policy. As an example, the Crawley Times and Crawley Observer both seek and run columns from across the local political spectrum. It is just up to local politicians to then submit their material.
Bias can manifest itself in many ways. There can be the outright and powerful denunciation from a newspaper editorial but at least that is explicit and open. We can see more subtle methods such as painting or photographing somebody in literally the worst possible light. We disagree with this person so where is the worst photograph we can possibly find?
Other damaging and effective forms of bias include a failure to report the views of people who you disagree with or to word them in such a way as to reduce their impact. We have seen some evidence of media bias over the years inCrawleyalthough we have for some time been in a period of more balanced reporting.
Of course our local newspapers are different from theBBCin that they are not publicly funded so there is not that particular line of accountability. We should expect higher standards from that Corporation which does cost us a great deal of money. In this context, it is not a good sign to read of reportedBBCstrike action affecting coverage of the Conservative Party Conference. Now that seems rather targeted.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Deputy Leader of Crawley Borough Council
14th September 2010