BBC cite‘inappropriate setting’ for Alex Salmond’s Six Nations snub
Salmond will make formal complaint to the BBC's governing body. Picture: PA
THE BBC’s decision not to include Alex Salmond in the broadcaster’s coverage of the Scotland-England rugby match has been defended by the corporation.
The BBC said today that the match was “not an appropriate setting” to give a single political leader “that level of prominence.” It said leading politicians from other parties would not have had coverage “of appropriate prominence” in the run-up to local elections.
The decision had been described as “bonkers” by the SNP.
The broadcaster published a response in the complaints section of its website today after receiving complaints about its cancellation of an appearance from Mr Salmond during its coverage of the Scotland v England Calcutta Cup.
It said: “On this occasion, having been approached by the First Minister’s office, BBC Sport asked for advice and with the full agreement of both the head of TV sport and the director of BBC Scotland, the judgment was made that the Scotland-England match was not an appropriate setting in which to give one single political leader that level of prominence.
“The topicality of the current political debate over the future relationship of Scotland with the rest of the UK, and with England in particular, was one of the factors taken into account.”
It went on: “The key factor, in advising on such occasions, is the importance of ensuring that other political parties have the opportunity to receive coverage of appropriate prominence over a reasonable timescale. That timescale can be affected by the proximity of elections, when such appearances would certainly not normally be appropriate.
“Given the singularity and high profile of the Calcutta Cup match, as well as the fact that it is now less than two months away from the election period before local government elections throughout Scotland, it was clear that leading politicians from other parties in Scotland would not have been able to enjoy coverage of appropriate prominence in the circumstances.”
It said it was satisfied that the decision was consistent with similar editorial judgments which are regularly taken in relation to other political parties and other political leaders by programmes across the BBC.
Mr Salmond had been due to speak about rugby and give his predictions for the first three Six Nations matches on the sport show.
At the weekend he criticised the BBC’s decision not to include him in the coverage. He also sparked a row by using a term linked to officials in Nazi Germany to describe a BBC adviser, with opposition leaders calling on him to apologise.
In an interview with the Sunday Herald newspaper, Mr Salmond suggested BBC journalists are “in thrall to Downing Street” and likened it to “tin-pot dictatorships”.
He also described one of the corporation’s advisers as a Gauleiter, the term given to provincial governors in Germany under Hitler. It also means someone in authority who behaves in an overbearing manner.
At the time a spokesman for Mr Salmond said: “The First Minister was rightly referring to over-officious BBC officials and the real concerns about editorial decisions taken by BBC journalists being overruled by bureaucrats on political grounds.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Ministers have real concerns about editorial decisions taken by BBC journalists for interviews with the First Minister about rugby being over-ruled by the BBC’s chief political adviser.
“The Scottish Government see that as unacceptable, and the First Minister will certainly be raising the issue with Lord Patten, chairman of the BBC Trust, at the meeting in Edinburgh on Thursday.
“One of the BBC’s excuses for this change of heart was the ‘political debate around Scotland’s future’ - which will be under way for the next two-and-a-half years.
“The question therefore has to be asked of the BBC - does this ban apply for this entire period, for example to David Cameron during the London Olympics this year?
“As Scotland’s national broadcaster, these are serious questions which raise important issues about the BBC’s coverage of the referendum - which must be fair, impartial and consistent to all participants, and at all times.”
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 103 comments to this article
Page 1 of 7
easyzone
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 03:16 PMExcerpts from Daily Telegraph on line ...........Alex Salmond tried three times to 'gatecrash' BBC's Six Nations party. Alex Salmond’s complaint that he was unfairly vetoed from acting as a sports pundit on the BBC has been undermined after it emerged that he approached the corporation and suggested he appear on three programmes.............He complained that he had been booked by Carl Hicks , editor of BBC TV sport , but the Corporation made it clear that the first contact came from the First Minister.........the SNP leader had also tried to feature in BBC Scotland's rugby coverage , and to set up an interview for himself on radio5live...........the first minister compared Ric Bailey, the Corporations chief political adviser in London , to a Nazi official for vetoing an appearance by Mr Salmond as a pundit ahead of last saturday's Calcutta cup.....A similiar offer had been declined by BBC Scotland following advice from Mr Bailey . Mr Hicks initially accepted the offer subject to checking with Mr Bailey who overturned the decision...........according to e-mails published by the First Minister's office , his officials contacted the BBC a week ago saying he was attending the game and " is happy to take part in suitable media opportunities"
Maurice the Dolphin
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:36 PM#92 - "So if it is okay for English politicians to comment on sporting events, why is it wrong for Scottish politicians to do so?".....................................It's not wrong, all it shows is that Alex Salmond can't be trusted to comment on a sporting event without inserting a few political comments of his own. Last year Channel 4 racing found that one out first hand.
and I'm not making this up
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:24 PMThere has never been a requirement for BBC's Chief Political Advisor to be involved in this matter.
and I'm not making this up
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:22 PMFrom the BBC's Editorial Guidlines, "10.4.4 We must take care when inviting politicians to contribute to non-political output, whether on the basis of their expertise outside politics or of their celebrity. We must not give them such prominence as to gain undue advantage over their opponents. Where their political allegiance is relevant to their contribution, it should be clear to the audience." and "10.4.5 Any proposal to invite a politician to be a guest on a programme or area of content where to do so is the exception rather than the rule, must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics.". ______________ It is the norm to invite politicians to comment on sporting events, be it London Olympics, the World Cup, Euros, the Ashes, the Commonwealth games, 6 Nations. _____________ The BBC have deliberately lied about their own Editorial Guidelines - there has never been a requirement for its Chief Political Advisor to be involved in this matter.
True Scot
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:16 PMthere's always the Scotland England tiddly-winks championship - he could comment on that
True Scot
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:13 PMaye it seems that salmond was trying to get onto several channels until he was rumbled
Highland Fog
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:08 PM#92 So if it is okay for English politicians to comment on sporting events, why is it wrong for Scottish politicians to do so................................. Best laugh I have today, no wonder you watch the 24hr news channels all day, you think a national team manager is a sporting event. What is the score, is it half time, hows you team doing, oh thats right he was left out for last weeks match. Perhaps he can sub on BBC alba for a while.
grahamski
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:07 PM"The BBC have admitted that the FIrst MInster did not directly approach the BBC" Are you making this up?
grahamski
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:07 PM94 "The BBC have admitted that the FIrst MInster did not directly approach the BBC" Really? When and where did they admit this?
and I'm not making this up
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:04 PMThe BBC have admitted that the FIrst MInster did not directly approach the BBC about being invited to comment on sporting events, and that the First Minister's office was correct in saying that the only information passed to the BBC was concerning the FM's proposed visits to sporting events.
Maurice the Dolphin
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:03 PM#51 - No, but maybe he should think about these things a little more when comparing broadcasting in this part of the world to "tin pot dictatorships". PS - I note you haven't challenged the points made that Alex Salmond wasn't complaining about the BBC and sulking in the corner whilst calling them "tin pot dictarorships" when appearing on the BBC programmes over the past few months such as The One Show, Portillo on Salmond, Sunday Politics, News 24, Newsnight & The Andrew Marr Show.
and I'm not making this up
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:00 PMNo 10 has admitted that it approached the BBC, ITN and SKY News saying that David Cameron would be free to give comments on the resignation of the England manager. ___________________ So if it is okay for English politicians to comment on sporting events, why is it wrong for Scottish politicians to do so.
Highland Fog
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:57 PM#85 Maurice, my guess he has been in a huff ever since Paxman took the proverbail out of his pompose style. Remenber we will not have an independent broadcaster if he gets his way on independence. Also he has failed to get any milage having a go at Westminster so he is turing his attention to another UK wide institution.
and I'm not making this up
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:56 PMWas the BBC's Chief Political Adviser (CPA), Ric Bailey consulted when No 10 agreed that David Cameron would give his opinions on the resignation of the England manager on BBC radio and BBC TV news? ___________ If he was consulted what was Ric Bailey's advice?
Highland Fog
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:51 PMMaking it up, I see that you have have added ITN and Sky News to your list of preferred viewing to watch the same clip of David Cameron. I presume same clip, as I am not interested in what David Cameron has to say about the England Manager, not do I have the inclination to watch all the news channels all day. Oh by the way where has AS learnt about Rugby to feel that he should be a preffered commentator?
Page 1 of 7
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.