Below is a screen-grab of part of the social media guidelines issued by BBC News to their staff. They are clear about the need for impartiality:
There appears to be little sign so far of any respect for, let alone adherence to, these guidelines. For example, this tweet by Laura Kuenssberg today took Theresa May’s disappearance into hiding – part of a clear pattern of failure to engage in the campaign at all, except for a few tightly-controlled and restricted appearances – and attempted to portray it as a ‘strategy’:
Could “stew in its own juice” – dripping with disdain and begging the question whether Labour stewing in anything after Corbyn’s flying start to Labour’s campaign – be taken as anything but ‘openly partisan’?
Ms Kuenssberg was already found guilty by the BBC Trust of bias last year over a mis-portrayed interview with Labour Jeremy Corbyn. Seems neither she nor the BBC have learned any lessons or feel remotely chastened.
Of course, one question for Ms K is this – when exactly has Theresa May been ‘on the stump’ since she called the election? Micro-managed set pieces to a tiny, hand-picked audience (mostly standing behind you) do not qualify! So the SKWAWKBOX asked her – won’t hold our breath, though:
When – exactly – HAS May been 'on the stump' since she called the election? #wherestheresa #runningscared
— The SKWAWKBOX (@skwawkbox) April 24, 2017
This tweet from Emily Maitlis was as bad as Kuenssbergs, or perhaps even worse:
These are just a couple of example, although very clear ones. Add your own to the comments – don’t forget to include links.
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