The BBC is one of the world’s finest news broadcasters and we should all value its impartiality, integrity and balanced coverage – Tom Watson

Tom
Watson MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, commenting on a letter accusing
the BBC of “pessimism” and “bias” in its coverage of Brexit, said:

“The
BBC is one of the world’s finest news broadcasters and we should all value its
impartiality, integrity and balanced coverage. It is the BBC’s job to report
the facts, not to be a cheerleader for any cause or party.

"All
politicians sometimes dislike the way some stories are covered, but we should
never seek to interfere with the independence of the BBC by publicly accusing
it of bias and making implicit threats about its future. 

"Theresa
May and Karen Bradley must make clear their commitment to the independence of
the BBC and distance themselves from attacks on it by politicians who have an
agenda the BBC does not and should not share.”