Contributions
1,036 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportLord Dyson’s report makes shocking reading. It details not just an appalling failure to uphold basic journalistic standards but an unwillingness to investigate complaints and to…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI must thank my hon. Friend for his words. He is absolutely right that the previous governance arrangements were deeply flawed, and Sir David Clementi, who conducted the review…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI thank the hon. Lady, and I agree with very much—indeed, almost everything—she said. On the governance of the BBC, as I said earlier, fundamental changes were made a few years…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI absolutely assure the right hon. Lady that there is no question of dismantling or defunding the BBC. It is a priceless national asset, and one of the most serious consequences…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI agree with my right hon. Friend. He is entirely right that this is not a one-off incident. There have been dreadful failings by the BBC in its journalism in recent years, and he…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI very much agree with the hon. Gentleman. Indeed, my right hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Alun Cairns) made the same point immediately before him. It is right that…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI understand my right hon. Friend’s strength of feeling. As he will know, we have now twice examined whether non-payment of the licence fee should be decriminalised, but this has…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI do agree with the hon. Gentleman. The independence of the BBC is absolutely central to its reputation for objectivity and reliability, and indeed it contrasts strongly with the…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI do agree with my hon. Friend. She is absolutely right to say that it is those qualities of accuracy, impartiality and fairness that are admired around the world as being as…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI do agree with that statement. There is no question but that the challenge posed by fake news and disinformation, which are circulating at a level we have never previously seen,…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportMy hon. Friend is absolutely right that one of the great challenges that the BBC faces is to reconnect with the people he represents. There is a widespread feeling that the BBC is…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportThere is no question but that even before Lord Dyson’s report was published there was a widespread feeling that the culture in the BBC needed to change—that it was made up too…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI regard it as absolutely essential in not just the BBC but all public bodies. We need to make sure that, in future, if somebody blows the whistle and exposes malpractice in the…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportMy hon. Friend is right that we need to see much stronger oversight of the editorial decision-making process in the BBC. The BBC board covers a vast range of different aspects of…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportThe BBC is the British Broadcasting Corporation. It reports on activities across the United Kingdom. It is paid for by every person resident in the United Kingdom who has a…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportThe questions surrounding the employment of Martin Bashir are being urgently investigated by the corporation, as I said, and I expect a statement to be made very shortly. On…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI entirely share my right hon. Friend’s admiration for the BBC, which at its best is the finest broadcaster in the world. That is what makes these revelations so painful: that an…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportI am sure that I speak for the Secretary of State in saying that it is not a question of punishing the BBC—particularly for events that happened a long time ago, as the hon.…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportThe BBC is committed to impartiality in its coverage of all political events, including the referendum in Scotland and the current political debate. It is very important that the…24 May 2021HANSARD BBC: Dyson ReportThe mid-term review is about the governance of the BBC and the new arrangements which were put in place. It will certainly incorporate a consideration of the culture to ensure…24 May 2021