Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, has rejected claims that the broadcaster is trying to win favour with Reform UK, telling MPs that increased coverage reflects a fundamental shift in the political landscape. Appearing before the culture, media and sport select committee, Davie said the BBC is 'trying to get the balance right' as the combined vote share of Labour and the Conservatives has fallen from 80% to 60%.
Davie was confronted with examples of BBC reporting on Reform, including a clip from GB News aired on the Six O'Clock News. He dismissed suggestions of ingratiation as 'for the birds', insisting the BBC's only objective is fair and impartial coverage. He noted Reform's strong local election performance, with an estimated 30% national vote share, as justification for increased attention.
BBC chair Samir Shah supported the approach, stating that Reform received 4 million votes at the last general election and that reflecting the views of Reform voters is important. Davie also addressed criticism of giving a platform to voices some disagree with, saying he would resist such demands.
During the session, Davie faced questions on other controversies, including an error in a Gaza documentary where a child narrator was the son of a Hamas official, and a decision not to broadcast a separate Gaza medics programme. He described the live broadcast of a 'death to the IDF' chant at Glastonbury as a 'very significant mistake'.
Davie called for immediate access for international journalists into Gaza, calling the current ban 'unacceptable' and noting that the conflict presents the toughest editorial challenge the BBC has ever faced.
