Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ken Loach calls BBC News 'manipulative and deeply political'

Director says corporation needs to be 'democratised and diversified'

Olivia Blair
Tuesday 18 October 2016 12:45 BST
Comments
Ken Loach
Ken Loach (Getty)

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.

Ken Loach has labelled BBC News “manipulative and deeply political” in a tirade against the broadcaster.

The director, who is best known for his socially critical films, claimed there are problems with democracy and diversity within the country’s flagship corporation and the way its news is presented.

“Democratise it. Diversify it so that different regions can make their own dramas,” he told the Radio Times. “And its notion of news has got to be challenged. The BBC is very aware of its role in shaping people’s consciousness; this is the story you should hear about, these are the people worth listening to. It’s manipulative and deeply political.”

In response, a representative for the BBC said: “BBC News is independent and adheres to clear published editorial guidelines including on impartiality. The BBC is consistently rated the most trusted and accurate news provider by the majority of people in the UK.”

The 80-year-old, who won this year’s prestigious Palm D’Or at the Cannes film festival for his film I, Daniel Blake, has hit out at the BBC before by urging Jeremy Corbyn supporters to complain over what he claimed was “biased” reporting against the Labour leader.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in