BBC launches review of Countryfile after fuming fans brand show ‘biased and unfair’
THE BBC has launched an internal review of its Sunday night show Countryfile after fans slammed it for "biased and unfair" reporting.
In response to viewers' ongoing impartiality concerns over topics like fox hunting, badger culling, and other agricultural and environmental issues, the BBC has ordered a review of Countryfile's editorial standards.
The review will be conducted in-house at the BBC.
"Countryfile has to deal with some contentious issues that bring out differing views. This is the first of many programmes we'll be looking at as part of our review process, but the kinds of issues Countryfile covers make it a good barometer for impartiality," a BBC insider told The Telegraph.
The BBC were quick to note that Countryfile has not been selected for review "because of any particular impartiality concerns" and announced that they will also be reviewing several of their other TV and radio programmes, including BBC Breakfast News.
However, Countryfile viewers have regularly voiced their criticism of the show on social media.
"Countryfile deliberately ignore real country life and are biassed in their view slim coverage of any field sports," one viewer said.
They are not the first to voice this concern, either. Countryfile has long held the nickname "Towniefile"; among farmers who believe the show is geared more toward town and city people who briefly visit the countryside, rather than people who live there year round.
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Other viewers have gripes with the show's alleged lack of balanced reporting.
One said they stopped watching the show because of what they felt was "biased reporting," while another viewer criticised the programme for its "politically biased" views on nuclear fuel waste.
"I gave up with Countryfile a while ago, along with the vast majority of their propaganda," another viewer said after last Sunday's episode.
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In its latest round of criticism, the BBC One show has been accused of promoting a pro-remain agenda by commenting on how Britain's fruit growing business with be negatively impacted by EU restrictions on migrant workers.
The BBC's review of Countryfile and its other shows comes as part of its plan to "enhance" editorial standards.
"There is not clearer promotion of the editorial guidelines on the BBC's internal website to further understanding of them, and there is ongoing work with content teams to support more open discussion around editorial issues," the BBC said.
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If the review finds any issues regarding impartiality, the show will be expected to make appropriate editorial changes.
Countryfile airs on Sundays on BBC One at 5:45pm.
