Britain - BBC's Bias by Omission Costs Us

Costs us not only in being denied the truth but in real money as well.

Over the following five years, Mr Sylvester’s tragic death in these circumstances became a matter of great public controversy in London and nationwide. It received considerable publicity in the media. In particular, on Friday 15 December 2000 the BBC broadcast the programme which is the subject of this claim. In the Nicky Campbell Show, broadcast that morning to a large audience, the BBC conducted a live interview with members of Mr Sylvester’s family, and a campaigner supporting them. Neither the Metropolitan Police, nor any of the officers, were given the opportunity to take part in the programme. In the course of that programme, the relative of Mr Sylvester made very serious allegations about the conduct and motives of the eight police officers, which amounted to an accusation of unlawful killing against them. Although the officers were not expressly named, they were rightly concerned that previous publicity meant that they were likely to be identified by people who knew them. The allegations caused the police officers great distress at a very difficult time for them.

The officers have always strongly maintained their innocence in respect of the death of Mr Sylvester. His death has been the subject of extensive inquiries and legal proceedings, which culminated in the November 2004 decision by Mr Justice Collins holding that "no jury would be likely to convict any officer of manslaughter" and that a verdict of unlawful killing "would not be a just verdict."

The BBC has never maintained, in its defence of these proceedings, that there was any truth in the family’s allegations, which it allowed to be broadcast, and through its [counsel/solicitor] today accepts the findings of Mr Justice Collins. The BBC has agreed to pay each officer substantial damages, and their legal costs, and apologises unreservedly for having broadcast these allegations.

Defendant’s Counsel/Solicitor

My Lord, on behalf of the BBC I accept everything my friend has said. The BBC accepts responsibility for what is said in its programmes, by its own staff or outside contributors. On the BBC’s behalf I apologise unreservedly to the officers for this programme, as well as for the distress it caused them.

If someone would investigate the Case Against the BBC, the BBC would go broke.

HT to a reader.
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