From the editor's desktop: Your response

Pete Clifton, editor of the BBC News website, answers criticism of a disturbing image published on the site, reveals why a hosepipe ban may be a good idea, and faces up to the most off-the-wall email to date. Read a selection of your emails.

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Your comments:

Rather than reporting news the BBC is increasingly trying to set the news agenda by choosing news stories that reflect its editorial viewpoint Mark, Milton Keynes

Over the last few years I have noticed a sharp decline in the quality of the BBC News reporting. Three main areas of concern. One is dumbing down, articles have less depth and detailed facts contained within them. Second, rather than reporting news the BBC is increasingly trying to set the news agenda by choosing news stories that reflect its editorial viewpoint. For example it repeatedly runs magazine type articles highlighting the plight of "genuine asylum seekers". It very rarely highlights the activities of "bogus asylum seekers" who are defrauding the British taxpayer. This is an example of the BBC choosing to report stories that support the views of those who are in control of it. It is no longer an unbiased news provider. Thirdly a lot of the "news stories" are not real news, more manufactured opinion. For example, running with Michael Buerk's comments on the changing role of men and women. Who is he? Has he done any proper research to support his view? What don't you ask the man at the pub to sound off on his favourite subject! Also recently the importance the BBC gave to a poll of the views of various ethnic groups on whether they felt multicultural, or something like that. The importance given to a poll which only had approx 250 Muslim respondents was absurdly out of proportion.
Mark, Milton Keynes

I have great respect for the BBC news coverage and for its journalists. However, it has become clear to me there is a form of censorship being practiced, but not admitted. Any issues which are sensitive to the British Establishment (troops in Iraq, police blunders, the Middle East, etc) are subjected to this kind of censorship. For example, in the "state your view" columns, unorthodox or strongly critical comments are almost never published. Another example are the Iraqis asked to give their comments or opinions concerning what is happening in their country - the chosen witnesses are clearly not representative of Iraqi society as a whole - just the Westernized fraction. When challenged about this, the BBC refuses to answer, as I have seen time and again. No doubt this message will also just disappear into cyberspace.
Alan Wilkins, Paris

BBC journalism is among the best in the world. It is informative and to the point, and delivered in a professional but easy manner. This applies to the BBC nationally. Regionally it is also mainly good, but locally it should, I feel, limit itself to items of local interest, unless there is a genuine, un-contrived local connection. National news has normally already covered the story and covered it better.
Margaret Baumann, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Please leave the trashy reporting to ITV and get back to straight forward, fact giving news Áine, Birmingham

I have come to the end of my tether with the way news is reported in general but particularly on the BBC. I'm so incredibly tired with the excessive use of cliché in every situation and the patronising tone of reporting journalists. September 11 seems to have opened the floodgates to emotional, one-sided reporting to attract viewers. Now with every unusual event be it the tsunami or the London bombings you can almost see your journalists salivating at the thought of a good story they can devote 24 hours of news coverage to. Please leave the trashy reporting to ITV and get back to straight forward, fact giving news.
Áine, Birmingham

I like that on the whole BBC journalism (which I'm applying in a very narrow sense to news bulletins) tends to avoid the 'tabloid' issue-based approach taken by ITN. By this, I mean the sanctimonious taking up of causes and issues which it believes to be worthy and which are then heralded as 'ITN exclusives' and turned into stories when none actually exist. When I watch or listen to the news, I want/like to hear facts not opinion and, by and large, this is what I get from the BBC. Unfortunately, I sense that the BBC is feeling some pressure to succumb to this style of news/reporting; where something that in the past would have been a lead story on the day in question is blown out of all proportion. For example, the coverage of Pope John Paul II's death. This was an historical and undoubtedly newsworthy event but the goulash, 24-hour vigil taken up by the BBC before the man had even died made me really angry. It was tacky. I would urge your focus group to encourage BBC journalists and editorial teams to strongly resist getting involved in a competition with other news organisations on this basis.
Kirsten Vigar, Winchester, UK

I hope this "looking at the future of BBC journalism" thing isn't part of the misguided soul-searching precipitated by Hutton. As the truth has gradually come to light subsequently, the Beeb's standard of journalism has been vindicated in all substantial respects. The BBC should be holding its head up high and vigorously reasserting its independence. The people trust you. The fact that the political establishment try to vilify you only confirms why the people are right to do so. Stick to your guns!
Alex Summersby, Bath

There is a definite BBC 'feel' to the news presented on the website Tony Judge, Zoopiggi, Cyprus

One thing the BBC does very badly is present viewpoints that are opposed to the mindset of its journalists. There is a definite BBC 'feel' to the news presented on the website - politically correct, 'multicultural' (whatever that is), emotional and lacking in objectivity, (whatever the evidence, if it does not conform to the established mindset, it is not published, or minimised.) This generates a lack of trust in the objectivity of the BBC.
Tony Judge, Zoopiggi, Cyprus

The BBC so often seems to follow the traditional agenda and priorities set either by the other media, political parties etc. The BBC should use its non-commercial independence to be just that, independent of popular commercial appeal. In this world, an environmental impact story, for example, should really be more important than Madonna falling off a horse.
Gideon, London

Frankly if your original brief was to consult the 'great and the good' within the BBC, the whole exercise is probably pointless. I have known a number of institutions (I worked for one of them) who in the past have established excellent reputations in their endeavours. After a time they came to believe in their own infallibility and sadly the BBC news, who I used to praise to the skies, has now become another. A perfect example is the Hutton report, where the 'Today Programme' is still trying to make the case that it was right.

There is now sloppiness in reporting where reporters make remarks like "a number of people" without specifying what that number is and who they are; or at the end of a report the reporter makes a snide remark to finish. Again with no evidence. What the news should be about is the facts - not the reporters opinions, there are other places for those. Sir John Reith must be turning in his grave!
Roy Turner, Yeovil

BBC journalism should be bold, seeking to set the news agenda by good, solid reporting of events. It should not be lazy, following the agenda or opinion of newspapers. BBC journalism should have no axe to grind, no mission to accomplish, other than to seek the truth and to report it. I have seen/read in too much reliance on speculation and journalists interviewing journalists. Most so-called "experts" know nothing about the field, for if they were they'd be doing it, not talking about it. If speculation is newsworthy, it should not be reported as if it is objective fact. I have heard too much of "it is said that", or "it is being called" - who is doing the saying or calling? Headlines should be a fair and representative summary of the story that follows.
Trevor Smith, Peterborough, UK

I appreciate the BBC's interviews with "locals" in non-English-speaking countries. Hearing the thoughts of citizens of Iraq, African nations, etc is not nearly as common in American media outlets. It seems to be yet another layer of insulation from the problems of the world. Many thanks to the BBC's skilful interviewers and translators, and of course the interviewees for providing such insight.
Karen, Raleigh, US

Unlike most news agencies the BBC tends to stay away from preaching one political view, but instead shows all views and tries to dig up the facts. And if the facts happen to be damaging for a political fraction it will still be reported. As a news site I use this site far more often than any Dutch or US sites, simply because it has better reports and is not afraid to admit and correct mistakes if any are spotted.
Sjoerd Schurer, Zeist, The Netherlands

If there's a story I am really interested in, I need to go to sources such as CNN for depth Terry Benson, Loule, Portugal

Let me begin by confessing that I'm an ex BBC journalist. I'll address my remarks solely to your online journalism. I like: The immediacy and the breadth of the news, the design, the speed and functionality of the site. I dislike: The frequently sloppy layout of stories, endless spelling and grammatical errors, poor subbing (many stories are either not checked or badly checked before publication), the length of time it takes to correct errors (sometimes even in the headlines where they must be obvious to the newsroom) and the useless "latest" tickertape, which is updated only intermittently and frequently many hours old - especially overnight. If there's a story I am really interested in, I need to go to sources such as CNN for depth. Be that as it may - I use BBC News as my home site.
Terry Benson, Loule, Portugal

With the growing financial contribution of BBC's commercial arm, all BBC radio, TV and web journalists need to be absolutely certain of the divide between public service broadcasting and commercially advantageous information and practices. The conflict between the two is already happening and so long as the present structure of the BBC continues, it is bound to grow, and will increasingly contaminate the public service sector.
Andro Linklater, UK

I haven't much time here so I'll condense this. What BBC covers badly: Israel (bias: see Orla Guerin, Barbara Platt who 'cried for Arafat'), selective use of quotes on main news page to highlight BBC editorial stance, use of quotes 'annoying', painfully obvious the BBC doesn't like neo-cons or America or corporations or George W. Bush Send in your 'tributes' for Mo Mowlam; send in your 'reactions' for Ronald Reagan's death. Good points: UK coverage is excellent, most BBC coverage is good. But please take the America blinkers off. Oh and call a terrorist a terrorist!
Barry Christie, Clydebank

BBC News distinguishes itself from the American press by covering world news comprehensively. It delivers news from more countries with greater authority. The BBC also avoids insulting its readers' intelligence by explaining how each story affects the UK or USA, or otherwise over-editorializing. In short, BBC News offers breadth and depth in its coverage of world affairs without underestimating the reader's ability to synthesize information.
LaVern, Oregon, USA

My only gripe is the way the BBC treats Scottish, Irish and Welsh news as regional but English news is British Geoff, Perth, Scotland

Generally I believe the BBC news to be the best. My only gripe is the way the BBC treats Scottish, Irish and Welsh news as regional but English news is British. This was highlighted by the A-level results stories which were given a great deal of nationwide coverage recently. I do realise that is was a big story to those concerned, almost as big as it was last year and the year before. Keep coverage of stories like that to the English region unless it has nationwide impact, something that A-levels do not.
Geoff, Perth, Scotland

Wouldn't it be wonderful if when a news story was breaking we could all say 'let's wait and see what the BBC says'? I'm not bothered who's the first to break the news or what conjecture can be offered on the details that are emerging - I want trustworthy, responsible, clear and informed reporting of facts - a source that can be relied on to fully quote and in context. News isn't a product - my plea to the BBC is don't sell us the news (everyone else is doing that) - report what you know and let the integrity and honesty of the reporting be the difference on which the BBC stands apart.
Angus Bargh, Edinburgh

I think one of the key challenges for journalism as a whole is to present a balanced argument. Quite an obvious point you might think. However, I believe that even today it is too easy for journalists to push their own agenda. I work for an organisation that gets its fair share of media enquiries and it disappoints me when a journalist phones up to get comment and our point of view on a topic and then chooses to disregard it if it does not fit their pre-planned story and opposes the view that they are trying to push. It is all to easy for the public to read a story and assume that it is unbiased, when it may well not be.
Mark Davies, Leamington Spa, England

The BBC needs to keep its new obsession with 'participation' in check. It sounds nice and inclusive, but in practice it often seems to lead to lazy journalism. Endless invocations to "Have your say" are patronising and, in a news context, unhelpful. If I want to know what the man on the street thinks about world events, I can ask him myself. I look to the BBC for hard news and analysis, not pub gossip.
Harry Nicolle, London

You often mention terms/people/places without explaining the significance, assuming we the readers already know Daniel Daugherty, Asheville, NC, USA

I have few faults with BBC journalism. You bear a standard for non-partisanship. However, the print journalism I read on this site misses key elements. You often mention terms/people/places without explaining the significance, assuming we the readers already know (this may be true of your British readers). Secondly, you should resort to the 'inverted pyramid' method of print journalism. I realize that BBC is meant to be broadcast news, so the rules are a bit different, but this would make it easier to get the most important details straight-away. Your style puts things under headings and tells stories chronologically, forcing readers to search for the most important details. Many thanks for providing such a fine service for free, I would never have complained if you hadn't asked for suggestions (another thing about BBC that I love).
Daniel Daugherty, Asheville, NC, USA

Overall, BBC journalism is the best I have seen anywhere in the world. Sadly, post-Gilligan, this has been tempered by an over-arching caution. During the recent London bombings, we were starved of news and sadly the BBC website only gave an official line, leaving us in the dark. ITV, CNN and Sky were much quicker to release the latest news (albeit occasionally unverified) and so my 'business' went to those sites. While accuracy is important, it would be concerning to believe that the BBC only ever recited the 'official' line without any independent thought, analysis or reporting. Now, more than ever, the BBC needs to show robust and independent reporting.
Ian Matthews, London, UK

Whilst I very much enjoy watching BBC News 24, I find that during "disaster stories" like the London bombing or the recent Greek airliner crash that the journalists on the desk (whoever they happen to be on the day - they all appear as guilty as each other!) are descending into tabloid-like commentary. During the Greek crash, rather than asking the question of the local reporter on the scene about what he saw - I heard "so what was must it have been like watching the wreckage of the aircraft raining down across the area and starting fires which we see raging around you?". It may be unkind to say so, but I really felt I could hear the relish in the voice of the news desk presenter "come on, give us all the really gory details - lets make it sound as bad as we can". Frighteningly there isn't any one presenter who seems to do this more than another - so I wonder if this has become the standard News 24 editorial policy to keep people watching?

It's a disturbing trend and one I'd really like to see get nipped in the bud. The BBC news service has always set the gold standard for journalistic professionalism - sadly I see this slipping in this area! But just so you don't think I'm a complete whinger - I probably get 90% of my news from the BBC news website - it's brilliant - well done!
John Douglas, London, UK

The BBC needs to be quicker and smarter at covering breaking news items David Broad, London, UK

I think the BBC has a fantastic reputation for unbiased coverage, for good broad-ranging attention to stories in all areas of the world, in many topics. Without wanting to lose this, and the need for accuracy, the BBC needs to be quicker and smarter at covering breaking news items. As a Londoner, on July 7th I was following the morning's news on BBC news 24, the BBC website, a Reuters news ticker, and receiving information from friends and family. The BBC unfortunately was always behind the other providers, including people who were watching Sky or ITV news and sending me updates. The Reuters alerts were coming through referencing Sky News about bombings while News 24 was still talking about unknown power cuts on the tube. In an important breaking news situation, the BBC wasn't up to scratch and if I had had the option to watch another news channel, I would have. The same goes for the death of the Pope earlier in the year - the BBC waited too long while the other news outlets were getting the news. Clearly the BBC has a duty to accuracy and impartiality that means it will err on the side of caution in some cases, but it seems to have gone too far when you are no longer keeping up with important breaking news stories. Surely you can report rumour/hearsay so long as you clearly attribute it and aren't presenting it as "fact". If you wait for "news" to become "fact" before reporting it, people will keep turning over.
David Broad, London, UK

Your news website is my first choice and my only real source of news, as it is impartial, world-wide coverage, current to the moment, with pictorial as well as thorough text coverage of incidents. Thus, it keeps me better informed about world events and events in my beloved UK than any other website that I have investigated. I hope you can maintain and improve on the present standard. Graphic photos are a difficult decision but better in photos than on telly where they replay, replay, replay the most sickening sights.
Sylvia McMurtry, Mississauga, Canada

We moved here three years ago from the UK and I have been appalled to find there is little or nothing in the way of presenting news in a format suitable ie not too superficial or patronising, to children. It is hard enough to find decent news programmes here for adults but nigh on impossible to find anything for children. The BBC, through Newsround, does an excellent job. I can also point out articles that will interest my children from the main news website. Keep on treating children in this way otherwise they will never learn how to differentiate good reporting from bad.
Paula Page, Connecticut, USA

I think that the area where the BBC has fallen down recently is in confusing comment with reporting, or reporting opinion as news. This was the cause of the problems the BBC had with Iraqgate or whatever it was called. I don't mind reporters giving opinions, but they must be clearly signposted as such, and not presented as fact (eg the difference between "I think Tony Blair is a liar" and "Tony Blair is a liar")
Gwyn Moses, Stanmore, Middlesex, UK

No-one is immune to the consequences of good or bad policies Andre B. Sosa, MD, Belize City, Belize

The images of the body of Mr Menezes who had been killed in very tragic circumstances serve to remind us that no-one is immune to the consequences of good or bad policies. Only when we come face to face with 'collateral damage' can citizens pressure for a common sense approach to the problems of the world.
Andre B. Sosa, MD, Belize City, Belize

Ok.... so the photo of Jean Charles de Menezes was illustrating a point. However I don't feel that it needed to be on the index pages. It could easily have illustrated the point as the second or third image on the story's page, or have been included as a pop-up from the story. It's position on the index pages, means that it was being used to generate traffic to the story, rather than just illustrate a point from the story.
Emma Griffiths, Bristol, UK

Pete. You were absolutely correct to show the Jean Charles de Menezes corpse as the photograph confirmed, more than words, how he was dressed when he was tragically killed and thus the errors in the public accounts of his death.
Martin Hugh-Jones, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

There's no other service I trust quite so much Meg, London, Canada

On days when I have plenty of time to spare, I cruise through a variety of 'newspapers' online - global, national and local. However, there is only one that I read every single day no matter how busy I am, where I'm going, or what I'm doing - and that's the BBC News World Edition online. Please don't tinker with it more than is absolutely necessary - ever. I'd be lost without it - there's no other service I trust quite so much to tell me everything I need and want to know.
Meg, London, Canada

Why, oh why, is the BBC search engine so unerringly inaccurate?? I have for several years had to resort to using Google to search the BBC website to find older articles on a particular subject, since whenever I attempt to use the BBC search function, it gives me 11 useless links to the wrong stories. Why can you not just license Google's technology, or at least write your own software that actually works?? Other than that, love the site!!
James, Brighton, England

I appreciate the international nature of your coverage. I particularly enjoy your science articles which alert me to new ideas and findings. It helps me as a primary teacher to know where current research in science is delving.
Margaret, Palmerston North, New Zealand

My strongest suggestion would be to pick up on more stories in more of the world T. Schmitt, Sharjah, UAE

I use your site as my primary source of international news. I generally rate it very highly and can see past occasional slants to get the information I want. My strongest suggestion would be to pick up on more stories in more of the world. I'm always disappointed when I find a story on another site that is not also covered by the BBC (I'm talking about real, hard news). They tend to be in third world countries with low news impact, but I want to know what's happening in Papua New Guinea or CAR too.
T. Schmitt, Sharjah, UAE

Mr. Clifton, please don't abandon your weekly screed. It provided my first really good laugh this week, and I was getting pretty desperate...It's going on a year, and I am still discovering aspects of the BBC on the internet that amaze me.
Curt Carpenter, Dallas, TX USA

I turn to the BBC exclusively to get my news and worldwide events. There is a difference in reporting what is going on and showing graphic or disturbing images. Cover the story. Capitalize on your intelligence, solid reporting and journalism skills. But do not exploit information or visuals that you have simply because they are available. The loved ones of those most impacted have a right to respect and dignity. Let those who choose to do so, parents, friends, children too young to yet know the deceased, have their last images of their loved ones as they desire. Doing something just because you can is not enough anymore.
S Reed, Brooklyn, NY

You were absolutely right to print the picture. As a photographer, I have long understood that pictures will often do what words alone will not. This picture shows that there can be no doubt about what the poor guy was wearing when he was killed. All of you have mine and many of my friends' support.
Vish Vishvanath, London, UK

I think the Science/Nature page is awesome! Always very well written and a good excuse to waste 15 minutes!
Stu, Chelmsford

Regarding the photo of Jean Charles de Menezes: Please don't sanitize the media - the public need to see these images. Compared to the rest of the world, we are largely wrapped in cotton wool. How else will we really understand the consequences of actions if we don't witness them?
Simon Milton, London

Coverage is generally well-balanced. But when it comes to UK-related news items, I often get an impression of UK-centrism. I appreciate that the BBC is a British institution. However, I do expect different takes on events by the BBC (UK) and the BBC (World). I also appreciate that air-time needs to be filled. However, endless repetitions arguably will put a shade on the BBC's general reputation for being among the best, brightest and fastest of news media.
Bipin Taneja, Delft, The Netherlands

I have always been impressed by the honesty of BBC reports. During the recent bombings, when people are hungry for instant news, the BBC trod a good line between quick updates and waiting for confirmation of rumours. The result is accurate reporting that doesn't generate the fear and speculation that was so prevalent in the US during 2001.
Jenny, London

"I was watering the garden with the hosepipe, the nozzle came off and the hosepipe whirled round and went in my trouser pocket, submerging my mobile phone. Now it switches off constantly and won't take or make calls." I just can't see how the hosepipe managed to get into the trousers, but I'm still laughing. Is the hosepipe possessed or is this story not completely true?
Mary Ellen, Toronto, Canada

By and large, I would say BBC journalism is very good. Where I think it could be improved is the need for greater depth. By way of example - during the recent Iraq war you would include reports from Kuwait, Iraq, London, Washington DC and New York. This range is excellent - but there is very little analysis, as so much time is taken up with all the correspondents! Also, I feel your coverage of EU affairs could be improved - there should be more of it, and don't be afraid to talk about the benefits of UK membership of the EU.
Michael Roberts, London

I'm not sure whether this is a valid criticism, but as you figured you were grown up enough to show pictures of that unfortunate Brazilian chap killed by accident, did you also publish pictures of the victims of the 7/7 bombing who were killed on purpose? If not, why not? And if not, I certainly wonder about your agenda.
Al, UK

In general the BBC's journalism is excellent - impartial, unsensationalised and comprehensive. However, there is one area the BBC falls down on: its persistent failure to indicate what parts of the UK government policy apply to. For instance, whenever the UK government announces new policy related to the NHS, or the education system, or other policies that are devolved to the Scottish Parliament or Welsh Assembly, BBC News reports never mention that the news story in question applies only to England. I think this is a matter on which the BBC should lead by example, because other broadcast news organisations are equally guilty.
Graham, Inverness, Scotland

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