BBC accused of anti-independence bias after editing out Salmond’s reply to ‘bank exodus’ question

[geardaddy]

http://rt.com/uk/187344-bbc-scottish-independence-bias/

The BBC faces accusations of anti-independence bias after its political editor, Nick Robinson, produced a report that wrongly claimed Alex Salmond had ignored his question during a heated press conference.

Calling into question the impartiality of the publicly-owned broadcaster, the veteran BBC correspondent edited out Salmond’s lengthy answer, in which the First Minister claimed the BBC had skewed facts and colluded with the Treasury to undermine the “Yes” campaign.

The exchange between Robinson and Salmond came after the BBC reported that a UK Treasury source said the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) would move its headquarters to London if Scots voted for independence. At the press conference, Robinson asked Salmond how Scottish taxpayers would make up the loss of tax revenue.

Highlighting similar announcements from Scottish-based firms, Robinson said:

“Why should a Scottish voter believe you, a politician, against men who are responsible for billions of pounds of profits?”

What is not shown in Robinson’s report is Salmond’s reply and the heated exchange that followed.

More at link

[Ken Burch]

1. From Robinson's Wikipedia entry

Robinson was interested in politics from a young age, and went on to study a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics degree at Oxford University, where he was also President of the Oxford University Conservative Association.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Robinson

[geardaddy]

2. Good catch!

[Ken Burch]

4. Just saw Robinson's story about the end of the campaign

He was blatantly cheerleading for the "No".

[LeftishBrit]

3. Update from a Scottish newspaper (more reliable than RT, I'd say)

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/nick-robinson-tells-bbc-scotland-colleagues-sorry-ive-become-the-story.1410950563

'The controversy erupted after Mr Robinson reported from a briefing held for foreign press corps by Alex Salmond at which the senior BBC reporter asked a question.

Although Mr Salmond appeared to answer the question at length, but only partially, in a later bulletin Mr Robinson included his question and added simply "he didn't answer".


In the email, which was sent to senior editors and then distributed to all news staff at Pacific Quay by BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor on Sunday, Mr Robinson does not admit culpability....


....An insider at Pacific Quay told The Herald that the BBC was currently highly sensitive to claims that its coverage has been biased towards a pro-union perspective and while most feel that it has not, there have been concerns that some English-based network staff despatched to work in Scotland have 'lacked sensitivity' to some of the issues at the heart of the referendum debate.'



It is true that Robinson has a Tory background, and he also came under fire for possible bias during the 2010 election.