BBC coverage sometimes has lapses

An internal report of the BBC’s business coverage found that the network sometimes has lapses that violate its code of ethics, writes Adam Sherwin of the Times of London.

Sherwin wrote, “Radio Five Live presenters and reporters were singled out for airing their personal preferences about commercial products.

“‘We have learnt, among other things, that one is a fan of Majestic Wine, another is an enthusiastic subscriber to Sky and one likes shopping at JJB Sports,’ the report said.

“It accepted that presenters are encouraged to ‘express themselves as rounded individuals who have a life outside the studio’. But the behaviour on Five Live appeared to be ‘a departure from both the BBC’s editorial guidelines and the definition of impartiality as outlined by the Director of News’.

“The presenters of BBC One’s Breakfast programme came under fire for ‘enthusiastically and uncritically’ playing with Nintendo’s newly launched Wii games console.”

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