The BBC’s seemingly strict policy of impartiality has come under fire. Fronted by Gary Lineker, recent criticism questions the elusive relationship between the BBC and right-wing politics. David Attenborough, BBC veteran and ‘national treasure’, has also been brought into the mix with attention on his new series, Wild Isles, which documents the ‘wonders of British wildlife’. This week the Guardian reported that the last episode of the six-part series was not set to air (instead going straight to iplayer while every other episode airs at prime time on BBC1) with fears of a ‘right-wing backlash’ over its themes of natural destruction and an exploration of the possibility of rewilding the countryside. The publication included unnamed sources that stated their fear that the BBC was bowing to the pressures of ‘lobbying groups with dinosaurian ways’, such as farming and hunting groups that have a strong aversion to campaigns such as rewilding.
The BBC subsequently denied the story, stating that the sixth episode was never intended to air, and that it does not ‘shy away from environmental content’. Producer, Laura Howard, has stressed the focus of the series on scientific data and information about the loss of wildlife in the UK, declaring; ‘It is undeniable, we are incredibly nature depleted. And I don’t think that is political, I think it’s just facts.’
Whilst David Attenborough’s apolitical stance in his work is perhaps the foundation of his lasting popularity, his work is inherently political, as the subject of the most controversial worldwide debate – and Attenborough’s dedication to spreading awareness of the climate emergency is undeniable. Therefore, there is no doubt that the timing of this claim is troubling, and we must interrogate the BBC’s decision to censor the integrity of its talent. The headline of even a conversation over censoring the most trusted environmentalist in, I dare say, the world, indicates the problem that now faces the BBC. Furthermore, earlier last week, the Telegraph had also scrutinised Wild Isles, focusing on its bias to the left, with accepted donations from environmental charities, RSPB and WWF, in the production of the show. Both charities had signed a letter last year in protest of the Government’s plans for ‘investment zones’ that would destroy natural habitats. There appears to be a fine line between what the BBC deems radical: scrutinising the UK’s measures to tackle climate change is; taking money from leftist charities is not.
The BBC’s employment of neutrality in times of crisis, means they inevitably take a political stance. Attenborough is their best voice on climate change, and despite his clear concern for the environment, he has always been careful to show both sides of the argument. Moreover, he never asks for anything in his documentaries, no signing of a petition or money towards a project, merely a consciousness of the destruction of our climate – in reiteration of Laura Howard, the facts speak for themselves. We simply cannot, therefore, ignore why the ‘unbiased’ BBC would censor one of their most neutral and renowned broadcasters, even if it was just a consideration.
“Sir David Attenborough: Lord Speaker Lecture” by ukhouseoflords is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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David Attenborough and the BBC’s impartiality crisis
The BBC’s seemingly strict policy of impartiality has come under fire. Fronted by Gary Lineker, recent criticism questions the elusive relationship between the BBC and right-wing politics. David Attenborough, BBC veteran and ‘national treasure’, has also been brought into the mix with attention on his new series, Wild Isles, which documents the ‘wonders of British wildlife’. This week the Guardian reported that the last episode of the six-part series was not set to air (instead going straight to iplayer while every other episode airs at prime time on BBC1) with fears of a ‘right-wing backlash’ over its themes of natural destruction and an exploration of the possibility of rewilding the countryside. The publication included unnamed sources that stated their fear that the BBC was bowing to the pressures of ‘lobbying groups with dinosaurian ways’, such as farming and hunting groups that have a strong aversion to campaigns such as rewilding.
The BBC subsequently denied the story, stating that the sixth episode was never intended to air, and that it does not ‘shy away from environmental content’. Producer, Laura Howard, has stressed the focus of the series on scientific data and information about the loss of wildlife in the UK, declaring; ‘It is undeniable, we are incredibly nature depleted. And I don’t think that is political, I think it’s just facts.’
Whilst David Attenborough’s apolitical stance in his work is perhaps the foundation of his lasting popularity, his work is inherently political, as the subject of the most controversial worldwide debate – and Attenborough’s dedication to spreading awareness of the climate emergency is undeniable. Therefore, there is no doubt that the timing of this claim is troubling, and we must interrogate the BBC’s decision to censor the integrity of its talent. The headline of even a conversation over censoring the most trusted environmentalist in, I dare say, the world, indicates the problem that now faces the BBC. Furthermore, earlier last week, the Telegraph had also scrutinised Wild Isles, focusing on its bias to the left, with accepted donations from environmental charities, RSPB and WWF, in the production of the show. Both charities had signed a letter last year in protest of the Government’s plans for ‘investment zones’ that would destroy natural habitats. There appears to be a fine line between what the BBC deems radical: scrutinising the UK’s measures to tackle climate change is; taking money from leftist charities is not.
The BBC’s employment of neutrality in times of crisis, means they inevitably take a political stance. Attenborough is their best voice on climate change, and despite his clear concern for the environment, he has always been careful to show both sides of the argument. Moreover, he never asks for anything in his documentaries, no signing of a petition or money towards a project, merely a consciousness of the destruction of our climate – in reiteration of Laura Howard, the facts speak for themselves. We simply cannot, therefore, ignore why the ‘unbiased’ BBC would censor one of their most neutral and renowned broadcasters, even if it was just a consideration.
“Sir David Attenborough: Lord Speaker Lecture” by ukhouseoflords is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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