Impartiality and accountability at the forefront of mid-term Charter review

Whatever your views on the BBC, no one can dispute that it is unique. For the last century it has held a singular place in our national life, informing, educating and entertaining millions every day in the UK and globally.

Last year it lived up to its high standards time and again– in its coverage of the Coronation, its reporting on the conflict in Ukraine and its hosting of Eurovision. And abroad, the corporation reaches up to 447million people every single week.

While it’s right that we celebrate these successes, we must be honest about what it can do better. It has to be – and must always be – held to a higher standard than others on issues such as impartiality. Licence fee payers expect it, and it is the job of governments to ensure the BBC lives up to this expectation.

Today we are publishing the BBC’S mid-term review. Halfway through the Royal Charter, it is an unmissable opportunity to pause, examine and evaluate the effectiveness of the broadcaster’s governance and regulation. Is it transparent enough? Is it accountable to licence fee payers? Is it consistently impartial?

In answering these questions, this review specifically considers a range of issues, from the effectiveness of regulation by Ofcom to whether the system of governance and oversight is fit for the future. Our recommendations – that there is scope for material improvements across a variety of areas – are unambiguous.

A major challenge for the BBC continues to be impartiality. This cannot be input on a computer and it is not a science. Impartiality requires thought and accountability. It strikes at the very core of the BBC’S remit and the public expects it to embed the value in everything it does. But, as this review makes clear, there is a perception that it is not impartial enough, and more can be done.

The way we access news and entertainment has changed dramatically from when the Charter reforms were introduced in 2017. Trust in media organisations, and in mainstream sources of news, has been eroded substantially and this has had an effect on public trust in the impartiality of the BBC.

There is evidence to suggest trust levels in the BBC, overall, remain high relative to other international media organisations. But the corporation has a duty to evolve and maintain a gold standard for its journalism.

This review is clear that, only by increasing accountability and transparency about efforts undertaken to improve impartiality, will the corporation recapture and enhance its reputation. Following direct and constructive dialogue with the Government, the BBC is implementing major reforms to put the corporation on the right track.

These include a legally binding responsibility for its board to oversee complaints and the extending Ofcom’s regulatory responsibilities to include the BBC’S online output.

Our aim will always be to ensure that a strong, distinctive, independent BBC can thrive for years to come – and also to improve it where we can. We hope this staging post in the Charter will help us fulfil that ambition and support the corporation as it flies the flag for Britain, and our values, all over the world. It’s a determination that goes far beyond this review – extending to our review of the licence fee.

Over its 100-year history, the BBC has proven to be one of the most adaptable, innovative and forwardthinking media organisations on the planet. Embracing the findings of the mid-term review – improving its structures and processes – and putting impartiality at its heart, will add to that track record.

The public rightly expects the BBC to be an exemplar of impartiality, accuracy and diversity of opinion and an organisation that trusts, respects and serves the entire nation. One that is held to the highest possible standards. We all rely on it to be the best it can be. This review will ensure that is what the public gets.

‘National broadcaster must always be held to a higher standard than others on these key issues’

‘The public rightly expects the BBC to be an organisation that trusts, respects and serves the entire nation’