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Head of Commons media committee denies writing article accusing BBC of bias
TL;DR
Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Commons media committee, denies writing an article accusing the BBC of bias, despite previously making strong claims about institutional bias. This follows the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness amid a media storm.
Key points
- Caroline Dinenage denies writing an article on BBC bias
- Tim Davie and Deborah Turness resigned amid bias accusations
- Dinenage previously claimed BBC has institutional bias
- Michael Prescott's claims sparked a media storm
Mentioned in this story
BBCCaroline DinenageTim DavieDeborah TurnessMichael Prescott
It was a crisis that toppled a BBC director general and his head of news. After contentious accusations of bias by a former external adviser, Michael Prescott, both Tim Davie and Deborah Turness quit the corporation.
At the height of the media storm that ensued last November, the corporation was struck by another blow. A key figure in scrutinising the BBC – the chair of the Commons culture, media and sport committee – delivered an equally damning verdict.
In an article for the ConservativeHome website, Conservative MP Caroline Dinenage said Prescott’s claims “made plain what many viewers have sensed for some time: a pattern of institutional bias within BBC News and current affairs”. She also accused it of “deep anti-Israel bias”.
The issue, she wrote, “runs into the very culture, editorial mindset and assumptions that have shaped the BBC for years”.
It was a strong take for a figure who would no doubt be involved in examining the claims Prescott had made. A problem has emerged with the excoriating article, however – Dinenage now says she did not write it.
Dinenage was quizzed about the article by the BeebWatch podcast, fronted by former BBC Radio 4 presenter Roger Bolton. However, before the episode was released, the podcast was contacted by Dinenage’s office to say that neither she – nor her team – had written the article, which did not accurately reflect her views
“[The article] was strong stuff coming from the supposedly independent chair of a committee helping to decide on the BBC’s future, so naturally I raised these statements with Ms Dinenage in our interview,” Bolton said.
“We had a vigorous discussion in which she did not question the article’s authenticity, and I challenged her suggestion of institutional bias in particular.
“However, shortly after we had recorded the interview, her office contacted us to say that Caroline Dinenage had not written the article, nor had anyone in her office, and that she did not hold some of the beliefs attributed to her.”
The section in question was cut from the podcast.
Meanwhile, ConservativeHome said it could not find the exact details of how the article reached its team, but stood by its publication.
Q&A
What accusations did Caroline Dinenage make about the BBC?
Caroline Dinenage accused the BBC of having a pattern of institutional bias and deep anti-Israel bias in an article.
Why did Tim Davie and Deborah Turness resign from the BBC?
Tim Davie and Deborah Turness resigned following accusations of bias made by former external adviser Michael Prescott.
What was the reaction to Michael Prescott's claims about the BBC?
Michael Prescott's claims led to significant media scrutiny and were echoed by Caroline Dinenage, who highlighted perceived institutional bias within the BBC.
What is the significance of Dinenage's denial of writing the article?
Dinenage's denial raises questions about accountability and the credibility of the claims made against the BBC regarding bias.
