Farage and Reform not properly scrutinised by broadcasters, say BBC viewers

Farage and Reform not properly scrutinised by broadcasters, say BBC viewers



Posted by theipaper

5 comments

  1. BBC viewers want tougher scrutiny of [Nigel Farage and Reform UK](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/farage-pm-electoral-chaos-power-reform-3712418?ico=in-line_link) on news programmes as polls suggest the party could be heading for government, new research has found.

    Voters want the BBC and others to give Reform more airtime but also to [put the insurgent party under increased challenge](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/farage-not-given-more-airtime-research-finds-3902092?srsltid=AfmBOoqYN_G3T9-LTpwSQZ5J2q9SyMuHGRmUgvmyqLqr6vTKcmzSXfSV&ico=in-line_link) over its policies should it win power, the YouGov survey found.

    The BBC says it has scrutinised Reform’s leading figures and given increased coverage of the party, in line with its “[current electoral support.](https://inews.co.uk/opinion/farage-in-no-10-forcing-labour-to-right-3891718?ico=in-line_link)”

    The survey, on behalf of the Cardiff University School of Journalism, found that among those calling themselves “frequent BBC news consumers”, 44 per cent thought Reform UK was being poorly scrutinised by broadcasters compared to being well scrutinised (31 per cent) while 25 per cent said they don’t know.

    When asked which party outside of Labour and Conservatives should get the most news coverage, 13 per cent said it should be the party with the highest poll ratings (Reform) and 12 per cent said it should be the party with the next highest number of parliamentary seats (Lib Dems). Meanwhile, 60 per cent said minor parties should get equal coverage.

    More people thought the UK’s major broadcasters are complying badly (41 per cent) than well (33 per cent) with the due impartiality guidelines. If “don’t knows” are excluded, over half – 54 per cent – do not think broadcasters are complying well with the impartiality rules, whereas 46 per cent believe they are.

    Stephen Cushion, professor at the Cardiff University School of Journalism, said: “Our research shows BBC news audiences thought Reform UK could have been subject to more scrutiny, with significant concerns raised about how the public service broadcaster balances coverage of different parties and leaders.

    “While Reform and its leader Nigel Farage often appears in coverage opposing Government policies, the challenge for the BBC will be to subject the party’s own polices to more rigorous scrutiny given a Reform government looks increasingly likely.”

    Separate YouGov polling last month found 44 per cent of Britons believe Reform are the party doing the most to set the political agenda, followed by Labour (14 per cent) and the Conservatives (3 per cent), with the Lib Dems and the Greens both at 1 per cent.

    Whilst YouGov found demand for greater Reform scrutiny, the BBC also regularly fields complaints from viewers who say the party gets too much coverage.

  2. Farage caused Brexit which caused the immigration crisis and lasting damage to the economy and international relations.

    That needs to included in the introduction to EVERY interview or TV appearance he does.

  3. Considering how either bonkers or fascist their policies are it’s bizarre nobody makes even the most superficial attempt to call them out on it.

  5. As a second generation immigrant I do find satisfaction at the so called natives struggling and blaming people like us for no reason. My family has never claimed any benefits. To this day I still see racism everywhere and judged on my appearance.

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