UKIP vs the BBC: Day Three

The author of The Talking Clock has received a reply from the BBC after we joined UKIP in complaining of bias in their coverage of the Norwich North by-election.

Alas, we suspect we're the recipient of a standardised reply. We seem to remember a very similar text when we complained about Yachtgate - when George Osborne was given a harsh ride over meeting a Russian oligarch whilst Mandelson was let completely off the hook.

The BBC's reply to our complaint concerning UKIP reads:

It's not always possible or practical to reflect all the different opinions on a subject within individual programmes. Editors are charged to ensure that over a reasonable period they reflect the range of significant views, opinions and trends in their subject area. We don't seek to denigrate any view, or to promote any view. We seek rather to identify all significant views, and to test them rigorously and fairly on behalf of the audience. Among other evidence, audience research indicates widespread confidence in the impartiality of the BBC's reporting.

We covered the parties who stood the greatest chance of winning the election at the time, Labour were in the news because it was unlikely they would win the election after the resignation of Dr Gibson. The Tories were the most likely to win the seat and the coverage of these two parties was always going to be more intense than other parties such as UKIP who were unlikely to win the seat as proved by the poll results.

Senior editorial staff, the Executive Committee and the BBC Trust keep a close watch on programmes to ensure that standards of impartiality are maintained.

I note you hold strong views on our political coverage and to this end I can assure you that I've registered your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us.

You're very welcome, BBC. We hope you'll be equally as thankful for our contact when we contact you again and make it a stage two complaint.