BBC not biased

Ian Small of the BBC will be sadly only too aware that some will not want to hear his defence of the BBC’S impartiality (Platform, 20 August).

Delivering a balanced view depends amongst other things on all sides of an argument being given a chance to express their point of view, but that can be a problem for those who draw comfort from a singular narrative of events.

What angers your columnist Lesley Riddoch and others who so readily seek to blame the BBC, is that other people who do not agree with them are regularly given an opportunity to express their opinion on BBC programmes, invariably alongside those making the case for independence, or whatever other cause it is whose passionate advocates would prefer to operate in an echo chamber of like minds and voices.

In a world where fake news has become commonplace, the BBC continues to deliver a trusted source of balanced news and comment, but finds itself regularly attacked for perceived favouritism. Just now, for example, independence supporters bemoan the lack of BBC coverage of the recent round of independence marches.

Yet on the BBC News app on my phone there is not only a report on the most recent All Under One Banner march in Dundee, but helpful links provided for their earlier reports on each of the previous marches.

Sadly, the reality is that some will not be content until those who do not agree with them are silenced, with any expression of an alternate view to theirs portrayed as bias.

KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire