|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
By Category |
 |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
India On Media |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| Politics
News |
|
| British Indian Lawmaker Takes BBC |
| British Indian Lawmaker Takes BBC Complaint to UK Ministry
|
| INDIA
, 21-June-2014
3:48:38 AM |
| An Indian-origin British MP who had lodged an official complaint with the BBC over its "one-sided" coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has now taken the matter to higher authorities in the UK.
Priti Patel, appointed 'Indian Diaspora Champion' by Prime Minister David Cameron, had written to BBC Director General Tony Hall last month expressing her concerns over a 'Newsnight' programme aired on May 16, the day India's general election results were declared.
The programme's editor has now responded denying any bias in BBC's coverage on the day but Mr Patel termed the as response "dismissive" and "smug" and has written to UK Culture Minister Sajid Javid.
Mr Patel, a Conservative Party MP from Witham, has also urged the Indian community in Britain to continue registering their complaints to the BBC.
In a letter dated June 18, 'Newsnight' editor Ian Katz maintains that the coverage offered viewers a "broad and balanced" view on the elections.
"The presenter Yalda Hakim referred to him (Modi) as a controversial figure because the Gujarat riots remain an issue which attracts controversy, but we were at pains to reference the official verdict every time the matter was raised," he writes.
This was in specific reference to Mr Patel's objection to Mr Modi being called "controversial" as she felt that by using this reference, "the BBC, who should be impartial, is giving acceptance to the political position of Modi's opponents rather than reporting objectively".
"Our coverage on the night reflected the breadth of the story, the undoubted controversy surrounding Mr Modi and the positive reasons for his electoral success...I therefore reject your suggestion that Newsnight in any way 'tarnished' the image of India," adds Mr Katz in his letter.
Mr Patel, however, maintains that the coverage offended many Indians in the UK.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADVERTISEMENTS
Free offer!!! Become an administrator for your zip home page, "Post" local news (local to your postcode)& pictures, "Post" advertisement banners from local companies. Make Extra money.
|
 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
