The BBC has been facing increasing criticism over the role the corporation has been playing and will be playing in the future. Members of the public have challenged the behaviour of BBC reporters during the coronavirus pandemic, questioning their perceived focus on “tripping ministers up” during interviews. In a video sent to the corporation, Dr Sejal Rai said: “I think it’s high time the BBC stops trying to trip up Government ministers by asking them to clarify a particular COVID guidance.
“And when they can’t answer, ridicule them later in the programme.
“I think the whole process is distracting, it serves no public interest purpose and I think it’s harmful as well.
“It makes people less trusting of Government’s guidance and less likely to follow it.”
On several occasions, members of Government appearing on BBC shows have been asked to explain the most recent COVID-19 guidance but some have failed to present it clearly.
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Another member of the public suggested the BBC should “get a grip” and focus on informing the public on the pandemic rather than “playing games” with Government officials.
In a letter to the BBC, Peter Partington said: “Once again the BBC is obsessed by trivia, on a day when the virus has affected more people and should have merited the top headline.
“Asking the Skills minister a detailed question on North East restrictions is bordering on stupidity when it is not her brief.
“The PM quickly clarified his answer to the same question. Please get a grip and stop playing games.”
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However, the BBC has defended its reporters’ approach to the pandemic insisting the public should be made aware if officials are also uncertain about COVID-19 restrictions.
In a statement, the corporation said: “During the pandemic, one of BBC News’s key roles is to inform our audiences about the public health information and guidance which directly affects them, so we think it is important to ask Government ministers to explain the most up-to-date regulations.
“Some out our audiences have reported feeling confused by the restrictions in place in different areas – which they could face penalties for not following.
“So when ministers have been unable to clarify what they are, we do not think it is unreasonable to report.”
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The comments come as new BBC director-general Tim Davie announced plans to revolutionise the corporation amids increasing challenges about the role the institution plays within British society.
Mr Davie put forward plans for a new two-tier licence fee in a bid to allow people to pick between a more affordable standard package and premium access.
A source told : “The view is very clear that the corporation has to stay relevant.
“People now have so many add-on services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, that they feel they may not be using a lot of what the BBC has to offer.
“By offering a smaller product, it’s likely to win over those who dip in but don’t watch, listen or read BBC output as much as before.”
The proposal follows criticism about the BBC’s decision to shelve the free over-75s TV licence fee scheme earlier this year.
