Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will hold discussions with the BBC on their processes for ensuring that BBC journalists and presenters uphold their impartiality.

When speaking to Tim Davie to congratulate him on his appointment as the new Director General of the BBC, the Secretary of State welcomed Tim Davie’s commitment to impartiality at the BBC. In an age of fake news and self reinforcing algorithms, the need for genuine impartiality is greater than ever.

The BBC has a duty to deliver impartial and accurate news coverage and content under its Royal Charter. The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of government, and it is for the BBC Board to ensure that all of the BBC’s output meets the highest standards the public expects. Ofcom is the independent regulator of the BBC, and is responsible for holding the BBC to account in this regard.