February 23, 2003

BBC viewers vent their anger at 'anti-US' bias of Iraq coverage

The BBC has received an unprecedented number of complaints at the alleged anti-war and anti-American tone of its coverage of the Iraqi crisis.

More than 400 viewers have rung the corporation in the past few weeks to complain that it has shown overwhelming bias. It is one of the largest reactions from viewers ever recorded.

One programme to attract opprobrium was the screening of a debate on Newsnight two weeks ago in which Tony Blair was savaged by an overwhelmingly anti-war audience. A Panorama programme on the crisis three weeks ago, which featured very few speakers in favour of military action, also provoked a hostile reaction.

Viewers have complained that BBC interviews with "ordinary Iraqis" in Baghdad routinely fail to point out that they risk death if they criticise Saddam Hussein. Many others have been incensed by BBC journalists seeming to add personal comment to their reports that is openly opposed to American policy and a possible war.

This almost gives me hope... but I know better.
At least it's good to see that Brits are speaking up about this.
Frankly, I'm pleasantly suprised by it as our press would have us believe that most of EUrope (including Brits, Tony Blair's stance with Bush notwithstanding) is against the U.S.A., against President Bush and against the Liberation of Iraq...
at least this indicates that if some Brits aren't exactly "against us," they at least want to hear *both* sides of the issue and less gratuitous America-bashing.
Cheers, Britain and let's hope that the folks at MSDNC and CNN saw this!