Bang to rights! BBC comedy IS biased
RIGHT- WING politicians are 13 times more likely to be targeted on BBC comedy shows, analysts found. Just 10 jokes in six episodes of BBC One’s Have I Got News For You criticised Labour or left- wing figures. But its May 22 show alone made five jokes about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s perceived incompetence. And panel regular Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye, said Sir Keir Starmer had “performed quite well” as Labour leader. On May 1, BBC Two’s The Mash Report targeted the Tories 11 times. It included a claim that “people who used to detest the NHS suddenly love it such as the right- wing press, Conservative politicians and men who like golf”. Radio 4’ s The News Quiz episodes on May 29 and June 5 featured 14 jibes at US president Donald Trump and five jokes about Mr Johnson.
But there were only three references to Sir Keir and no mention of US Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Researchers studying BBC comedy output from April to June counted 13 times more jokes aimed at right- wingers than those on the left.
The BBC’s new director general Tim Davie is already planning changes. Programme creators will be expected to find a better balance of targets and book guests with a wider range of political views.
Tory MP Ben Bradley said: “Lots of BBC comedy shows are just left- wing rants about the Tories and Brexit. If the BBC is to truly represent all licence fee payers, that needs to change.”
The BBC declined to comment.