Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
The BBC’s ‘apology’ to Diane Abbott has made things far, far worse
After the BBC Question Time panel got caught lying during an attack on Diane Abbott on 17 January, tens of thousands called for the state broadcaster to issue an apology. The show’s new host Fiona Bruce joined right-wing columnist Isabel Oakeshott in wrongly attacking the shadow home secretary’s polling data. And, as the Canary reported, audience members have claimed Abbott was met with a “hostile atmosphere”.
After huge pressure across social media, the BBC News Press Team posted a response on 19 January:
We've reviewed what was said re polling on @bbcquestiontime. A YouGov poll published on the day of the programme suggested a lead for the Conservatives. Diane Abbott was also right that some other polls suggested Labour either as ahead or tied, & we should have made that clear.
— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) January 19, 2019
But for many, this ‘apology’ has only made things worse.
Not good enough
Firstly, the words ‘sorry’ or ‘apologise’ don’t actually appear in the BBC’s statement. Secondly, the show’s discussion centred around ‘polls’ and not one ‘poll’. Abbott was therefore correct, and the panel was wrong. And thirdly, this ‘apology’ isn’t good enough. The BBC should rectify the disinformation it broadcasted to millions of people by announcing a correction to a comparably-sized audience.
People were unsurprisingly furious with the BBC’s response. The Ealing Labour for Corbyn account tweeted:
I think you misspelt “sorry”. https://t.co/yZAffqitV3
— EL4C (@EL4JC) January 19, 2019
Former British ambassador Craig Murray wrote:
We look forward to your making it clear – with more detail than this statement which says "some other polls" when it should say "all other polls" – at the start of the next programme.
— Craig Murray (@CraigMurrayOrg) January 19, 2019
Novara Media co-founder Aaron Bastani said:
"you are behind in the polls"
Fiona Bruce (inaccurately) confirmed something which wasn't true by another guest who was saying 'you are way behind in the polls' – this is when Labour are ahead in poll of polls and only YouGov give Tories a lead for….months!
— Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) January 19, 2019
And Labour Party councillor Cassi Perry suggested Abbott’s treatment was nothing new:
And the aggregate has shown a Labour lead for more than a month. This was a cheap shot, a wink, wink, look at the woman of colour getting her sums wrong again. It’s disgusting and this apology needs to be clearer and stronger. She was right, you were wrong and deliberately so!
— Cllr. Cassi Perry (@CassiPerry4) January 19, 2019
Proper apology to Abbott
The BBC’s ‘apology’ attempt has created even greater distrust in the state broadcaster. It must now issue a correction and a proper apology to Abbott on next week’s show. Anything less won’t do.
Featured images via screengrab and BBC/Wikimedia
Get involved
- You can complain to Ofcom about the BBC‘s treatment of Diane Abbott here.
We need your help ...
The coronavirus pandemic is changing our world, fast. And we will do all we can to keep bringing you news and analysis throughout. But we are worried about maintaining enough income to pay our staff and minimal overheads.
Now, more than ever, we need a vibrant, independent media that holds the government to account and calls it out when it puts vested economic interests above human lives. We need a media that shows solidarity with the people most affected by the crisis – and one that can help to build a world based on collaboration and compassion.
We have been fighting against an establishment that is trying to shut us down. And like most independent media, we don’t have the deep pockets of investors to call on to bail us out.
Can you help by chipping in a few pounds each month?
Support us -
Show Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to leave a comment.Join the conversationPlease read our comment moderation policy here.
You cannot make a complaint to Ofcom before complaining to the BBC first so dont waste your time. Canary should have explained that and given the BBC details
The BBC, and those who are “Right” are always using the polls in dishonest ways. Is this the only connection to society they can claim to show they are human? Where are the ghostbusters?
The proper indignation of people to the abuse of Diana Abbot endured shows these people are truly connected socially in ways the “Right” polls will never show.
What do you expect from the so called civilised Brit? They must learn to respect and tolerate those who are different. Endemic racism is infecting all walks of British society. It is a well known fact that British education is a home of institutional racism.
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk