BBC boss: Frozen Planet row is revenge for Leveson coverage
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Newspapers are giving wildlife series Frozen Planet a hard time in revenge for the BBC's coverage of the Leveson Inquiry, director general Mark Thompson suggested today.
The BBC has been criticised for "fakery" after including scenes of a polar bear with her newborn cubs which were actually filmed in a zoo, without informing viewers on screen.
Speaking to MPs today, Mr Thompson quoted from a newspaper editorial and alluded to the story being prominence in retaliation for BBC coverage of the hearings into press ethics.
He said: "I do rather wonder whether this was about polar bears or Lord Leveson and other matters."
Footage of the cub was made in a zoo and was mixed with real wild scenes.
Yesterday veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough defended the material saying it would have been too dangerous to film such scenes in the animal's den. He said including an explanation in the narration would have ruined the atmosphere.
And speaking to the Media Select Committee today, BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten said: "The alternative would have been either dead bears, or dead people with cameras."
He pointed out the story behind the footage had been publicly available on the BBC website since November 7.
And Mr Thompson added: "Those that want to find out how it's made can find out how it's made."
They told MPs that just 32 people had "raised an objection" to the way the footage had been included in the show.
Mr Thompson said: "For the overwhelming majority of the public there is no evidence that it was spoilt for them. And moreover when we asked them the question about whether they want to be reminded constantly about how the programme is made as it goes along, they said they would prefer that we didn't."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments