BBC in fresh ‘bias’ row after its impartiality adviser brought in to examine how journalists use social media ‘was partisan online’
- Former director of global news at BBC drafted in to review its impartiality
- Richard Sambrook was hired to look at the way journalists use of social media
- New ‘bias’ row emerged after it was revealed he himself has been partisan online
The BBC has sparked a fresh ‘bias’ row after it emerged the former executive hired to review its impartiality on social media has himself been partisan online.
Richard Sambrook, former director of global news at the BBC, has been brought in to take an ‘internal look’ at the way journalists use their social media accounts amid concerns they might be breaching its impartiality rules by sharing their political views.
But it emerged Mr Sambrook, who was appointed in May, has himself been critical of the Government in posts online.
Richard Sambrook, former director of global news at the BBC, has been brought in to take an ‘internal look’ at the way journalists use their social media accounts
Last night MPs questioned the appointment, warning his online activity could jeopardise his position as an ‘independent arbiter’.
On Twitter last month, Mr Sambrook asked if the Government was trying to ‘extend lockdown to independent journalism and critical views?’ after it emerged Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden wrote to BBC director general Tony Hall with concerns about its reporting.
In January, he said MPs’ voting against a clause to compel ministers to negotiate full membership of the EU’s Erasmus education programme was ‘shortsighted’ and ‘stupid’.
He also suggested that, when it comes to the Government, voters should ‘look closely at what they do, not what they say…’
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden wrote to BBC director general Tony Hall with concerns about its reporting
And last month he retweeted a link to a Guardian article entitled ‘The Murdoch media’s China coronavirus conspiracy has one aim: Get Trump re-elected’.
Yesterday Tory MP Giles Watling, who sits on the digital, culture, media and sport committee said: ‘It would appear that [Mr Sambrook] is displaying a bias which I would imagine jeopardises his position as an independent arbiter. There should be somebody there who can demonstrably be unbiased and independent.’
Fellow Tory Andrew Bridgen added: ‘Are the BBC completely sure this man is best qualified to carry out a review of their own impartiality on social media?’
The BBC said it has hired Mr Sambrook to give ‘professional advice’ and ‘any personal opinions he may or may not hold are completely irrelevant’.