There's been much debate recently about the left wing, greeny tree-hugging bias of the BBC, but apparently they don't restrict themselves to wind farms, polar bears and hug-a-hoodie. This from one of our regular readers, D**** B******** ...
Sent to the Complaints section of the BBC, concerning an item on their “Look East” news programme recently:
“Your report on the Elsenham rail tragedy was biased and one-sided. Parents of the victims were extensively interviewed and given ample opportunity to state their case against Network Rail. There was not the slightest mention of the fact that the two victims had some responsibility for their fate given that they disobeyed signals and crossed the line when a train was coming. Given that a legal prosecution has been announced, it was quite wrong to report only the prosecution case and deny Network Rail, the defendants, any opportunity to respond. It is not the BBC's job to act as judge and jury. In fact, if the court case is to be heard in front of a jury who will presumably have seen your reporting, it may now be difficult for Network Rail to receive a fair trial at all.”
The complaint refers to the tragic deaths of schoolgirls Olivia Bazlinton and Charlotte Thompson who were struck by an express train while using a level crossing in Elsenham, Essex on 3 December 2005. They were on their way to do Christmas shopping in Cambridge. The basic facts seem to have been that they were running to catch a train that had stopped in the station, ignored a flashing red light, opened a pedestrian gate and ran straight into the path of a train coming the other way.
The investigation was originally closed in May 2007 but the Office of Rail Regulation reopened it in February this year after documents from 2002 were brought to its attention by the girls' families. The files showed that safety concerns had been raised about the crossing before the accident.
The ORR decided that was enough evidence, and that it was in the public interest, to bring criminal proceedings against Network Rail for serious breaches of health and safety law, and the case will be heard at the end of January in Chelmsford.
ORR alleges that Network Rail failed to carry out proper assessments of the risks to the safety of people using the crossing or to have in place adequate arrangements to underpin assessments that were carried out. Network Rail, to their credit, are said to be "unlikely to contest what the regulator has to say in terms of the prosecution". The ORR is greatly respected in the rail industry.
The BBC's report of the forthcoming prosecution consisted of a skimpy recital of the facts, virtually ignoring any responsibility the girls had for their own behaviour, and lengthy, emotional interviews with the grieving parents. There was no statement from Network Rail, and neither they nor the ORR were given the opportunity to present their side of the story. D**** B*******'s point is well made: if this case is to be tried in front of a jury, there is now no chance that Network Rail will get a fair trial. The fact that they've already admitted some liability is beside the point: everyone's entitled to a fair trial, and as DB says, the BBC should not be acting as judge and jury before the event.
This was the BBC's reply ...
“Thanks for contacting us regarding ‘Look East’ broadcast on BBC One. We understand you felt the report on the Elsenham rail tragedy was biased against Network Rail.
We’re well aware of our commitment to impartial reporting. We seek to provide the information which will enable viewers and listeners to make up their own minds and provide the forum for debate, giving full opportunity for all viewpoints to be heard.
However, Impartiality is partly dependent on balance and it’s simply not possible to achieve that with every report. Editors are charged to ensure that over a reasonable period they reflect the range of significant views, opinions and trends in their subject area. The BBC does not seek to denigrate any view, nor to promote any view.
Our senior editorial staff, the Executive Committee and the BBC Trust keep a close watch on programmes to ensure that standards of impartiality are maintained.
We'd like to assure you that your feedback has been registered on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's made available to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, programme makers, channel controllers and other senior managers. The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.
Kind Regards, Leigh Mallon BBC Complaints”
The GOS says: Well, that's all right, then. We didn't do anything wrong, we're always terribly impartial and fair, so basically you're talking rubbish. We can do as we like, so p*ss off.
Nice one, BBC Look East.
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