BBC political coverage is biased and focuses predominantly on stories about England, according to the BBC Trust.

A report for the Trust said that there was too much emphasis on Westminster and stated the corporation was "falling short of its own high standards" and "failing to meet its core purpose of informing democracy".

The study was commissioned by the trust – the corporation's governing body – but anyone who believes that this indicates a desire by the BBC to 'turn over a new leaf' should think again as the report was only commissioned following a rising level of complaints that too many news stories were relevant only to England.

Sir Michael Lyons, the Chairman of the trust, has also been forced to concede that affection for the BBC diminished the further people lived from London. There was a feeling amongst a broad swathe of the UK population that they do not see issues which affect their lives reflected enough in BBC programmes.

The report stated that in respect of political coverage there was a "general bias" towards stories about England or reporting stories from an English perspective with an undue focus on the politics of Westminster and a complete disregard for the politics of the devolved assemblies.

It seems however that anyone expecting major changes will be disappointed. The Trust report was played down within hours of being issued - not least by the BBC!

Commenting on the report Pete Wishart MP, the SNP's broadcasting spokesman who gave evidence to the review, said the BBC was "failing to keep pace" with Scotland's evolving political and cultural life.

He renewed calls for the so-called "Scottish Six" news bulletin to replace the network BBC News at 6pm and which would deliver both Scottish, UK and International news with a Scottish perspective.

The BBC Trust impartiality report with appendices can be found on this web page:

(voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

12/06/08

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