Does the BBC have a Pro-EU Bias?

[WiseOwl182]

I've always suspected the BBC lack impartiality with certain topics and seem to have a definite political leaning. However, never has this been more apparent to me than with the possible Brexit. In my view, their headlines and stories have displayed a pro-EU leaning. I want to stick to facts though, so let's use this thread to keep a log of their main BBC News website leading headlines.

 

Since the referendum campaign kicked off, the leading referendum headlines have been:

 

Monday 22/2/16 (lunchtime): "EU exit is a 'security risk'"

Monday 22/2/16 (evening): "EU exit is a 'leap in the dark'"

Tuesday 23/2/16 (lunchtime): "EU exit would 'risk jobs'"

 

All 3 of the headlines so far are scaremongering against leaving the EU. The "risk jobs" quote is particularly dubious since the survey they were using was based on 36 out of 100 leading businesses signing a letter warning of job insecurity (i.e. 64, a majority, didn't sign it).

 

Let's see how this plays out in the coming months. I could be wrong so it will be interesting to see.

[ghost rider]

They always have been.All state owned tv around the world is the same.

[Obelix]

I'm not sure. I think it's just that the staying in campaign got off the blocks quicker. When it comes to the EU I thought the BBC was always quite neutral.

[JFKvsNixon]

I've always suspected the BBC lack impartiality with certain topics and seem to have a definite political leaning. However, never has this been more apparent to me than with the possible Brexit. In my view, their headlines and stories have displayed a pro-EU leaning. I want to stick to facts though, so let's use this thread to keep a log of their main BBC News website leading headlines.

 

Since the referendum campaign kicked off, the leading referendum headlines have been:

 

Monday 22/2/16 (lunchtime): "EU exit is a 'security risk'"

Monday 22/2/16 (evening): "EU exit is a 'leap in the dark'"

Tuesday 23/2/16 (lunchtime): "EU exit would 'risk jobs'"

 

All 3 of the headlines so far are scaremongering against leaving the EU. The "risk jobs" quote is particularly dubious since the survey they were using was based on 36 out of 100 leading businesses signing a letter warning of job insecurity (i.e. 64, a majority, didn't sign it).

 

Let's see how this plays out in the coming months. I could be wrong so it will be interesting to see.

 

I think it's more a case of conformation bias. I remember seeing the headlines from IDS who suggested that if we stayed in the EU it could make a terrorist attack more likely.

Edited February 23, 2016 by JFKvsNixon

[saunaman]

There is a website "biased BBC" which hosts all observations

[I1L2T3]

All we are seeing is a slicker start from a campaign that was ready to roll.

 

You've got one cohesive stay campaign. That should in theory get 50% of the coverage

 

You've got uncoordinated two leave campaigns. They should get half the other 50%, i.e. 25% each but to get that they have to feed the media with the interviews, releases, analysis etc... If they don't then the stay campaign are going to monopolise the media.

[WiseOwl182]

All we are seeing is a slicker start from a campaign that was ready to roll.

 

You've got one cohesive stay campaign. That should in theory get 50% of the coverage

 

You've got uncoordinated two leave campaigns. They should get half the other 50%, i.e. 25% each but to get that they have to feed the media with the interviews, releases, analysis etc... If they don't then the stay campaign are going to monopolise the media.

 

Except the BBC are supposed to be impartial, not bow to the slicker campaigning. For each leading pro-EU headline, I expect to see a pro-Exit headline the next day, for balance. After all, I don't really get a choice whether or not to fund their reporting.

 

---------- Post added 23-02-2016 at 21:47 ----------

 

I think it's more a case of conformation bias. I remember seeing the headlines from IDS who suggested that if we stayed in the EU it could make a terrorist attack more likely.

 

Possibly, but let's see. So far, since the official start this week, it's Pro-EU 3-0 Anti-EU.

[chalga]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35617843

 

3-1

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35626621

 

3-2

[I1L2T3]

Except the BBC are supposed to be impartial, not bow to the slicker campaigning. For each leading pro-EU headline, I expect to see a pro-Exit headline the next day, for balance. After all, I don't really get a choice whether or not to fund their reporting.

 

Of course, but the campaigns still have to work at it.

[WiseOwl182]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35617843

 

3-1

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35626621

 

3-2

 

They were not leading headlines on the main BBC News homepage. I am counting up the main headlines, not stories hidden away. I am also doing this at the peak visit times of lunchtime and evening.

 

3-0.