Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

BBC journalists 'lack understanding of basic economics': Report

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Telegraph
  • 30 Jan 2023 17:16
3 Min Read

An alarming review written by two economic experts exposes BBC journalists' lack of understanding of basic economics.

  • x
  • BBC headquarters (GETTY IMAGES)
    BBC headquarters (GETTY IMAGES)

An independent review suggested that BBC journalists "lack understanding of basic economics," which "brings a high risk to impartiality," The Telegraph reported on Monday.

Commissioned by the BBC Board into the broadcaster’s coverage of taxation, public expenditure, and government borrowing and debt policies, the review was tasked to economics experts Michael Blastland and Sir Andrew Dilnot.

"We think too many journalists lack understanding of basic economics or lack confidence in reporting it. This brings a high risk to impartiality," the two authors indicated.

According to Blastland and Dilnot, "Some journalists seem to feel instinctively that debt is simply bad, full stop, and don’t appear to realise this can be contested and contestable."

They continued, “Several general assumptions seem to lurk like this either unnoticed or uncorrected. Others that outsiders observed in BBC coverage were ‘more public spending is good’ and ‘tax cuts are good’."

The review pointed to one on-air statement in which a BBC journalist suggested that the government "will have to…" In this regard, the authors said, “We appreciate this was made live and might have been unintended." However, they underlined that "BBC journalists should exercise extreme caution before suggesting a government ‘will have to…’ raise taxes, cut taxes, cut spending, raise spending, cut debt, raise debt, etc - in any area."

Related News

EU military spending hits critical economic limit, Russia warns

Trump signals new US tariffs, warns trading partners of imminent hikes

Elsewhere, Blastland and Dilnot identified "an occasional temptation to hype - and we think hype an is impartiality issue," saying, "We don’t want to be bored either, but see breathless stories or headlines that seem to chase excitement by slanting data or evidence."

The review also noted that occasionally, data had been presented in "the most alarming way" possible.

The two authors made clear that their review was aimed at "non-specialist" BBC reporters but indicated that "even senior journalists" have shown that they don’t fully understand all of the arguments.

"This has provided new insight for us in how we understand and deliver due impartiality in this vital area of public policy," the BBC Board said in response to the review.

The Board considered that "the review as a whole provides clear indications for how we can improve editorial standards and audience impact as a result."

It added that it had requested BBC's Director-General Tim Davie and his executive team to "address the issues raised and put together a plan of action."

Read more: Wealthy businessmen hold British property via offshore firms - reports

  • economy
  • Britain
  • BBC

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS