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‘Don’t neuter BBC’s independence’ says regional daily columnist

paul_connollyA regional daily columnist has warned the Government not to “neuter” the BBC’s editorial independence.

Paul Connolly, left, readers editor at the Belfast Telegraph, has claimed some Northern Irish politicians would “love to emasculate” the BBC after the release of the Government’s White Paper on the corporation’s future earlier this month.

The BBC is pledging £8m a year to fund 150 public service journalists who would be employed by local newspapers to boost coverage of local councils and devolved bodies.

Paul believes this would lead to four such journalists being employed in Northern Ireland if funding is shared out proportionately across the United Kingdom.

The White Paper, in a section headed ‘Increasing Accountability to the Nations’, mandates the BBC to develop a “memoranda of understanding agreed with each of the devolved administrations”.

In his column, Paul wrote that BBC Northern Ireland’s Spotlight programme was the “last big investigative force left locally”.

He added: “I sense trouble ahead. It’s perfectly reasonable that BBC NI director Peter Johnston and his execs are held to account by Stormont on strategy and spending.

“But I know from conversations with some local politicians that many loathe the BBC and perceive it to be biased against them. They would love to emasculate its probing, investigative journalism.

“The Assembly and Executive are, in effect, controlled by the very two parties – DUP and Sinn Fein – that issue the majority of solicitor’s letters to the local media. And Spotlight is the last big investigative force left locally.

“So, by all means let Stormont hold the BBC to account over its financial and strategic decisions. And we must make sure that BBC NI fulfils its White Paper obligations.

“But, equally, we should stand guard against any attempts to neuter its editorial independence.”

4 comments

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  • May 23, 2016 at 12:26 pm
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    Well said Paul. Now let’s have a lot more Editors stand up to the blatant attempts to muzzle the BBC by nothing less than financial blackmail. Actually I don’t think it’s the full government – more like some at the top with their personal axes to grind. Heaven help our profession if the politicians get more of a say in what is or isn’t broadcast. Mrs Thatcher, I believe it was, whose regime first indicated news ‘management’ was an acceptable past-time. Now look how the black art of spin and twist has become an industry.

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  • May 23, 2016 at 4:24 pm
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    The BBC isn’t independent.
    It’s anti Moslem and anti Christian.
    It’s a gay rights pressure group.
    It’s a free advertising service for Facebook and Twitter.
    As for the Foreign Service, it promotes everything that the White House wants to push.
    Wherever you stand on these issues, you cannot get away from these facts.

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  • May 23, 2016 at 5:46 pm
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    Oh yes, Jupiter, and you omitted to say that the BBC is anti-Conservative, anti-Labour, pro Conservative, pro Labour, anti Europe, pro Europe, pro the Flat Earth Society and a strong believer that the moon is made of green cheese…yea, yea, yea
    Wherever you stand on these issues, you cannot get away from these facts.

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  • May 24, 2016 at 9:25 am
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    Yes, Prodnose, the BBC is certainly anti Socialist. Note: I said Socialist, not Labour.
    Have a nice day!

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