‘Extreme bias’: BBC blasted for Corbyn Bolshevik backdrop on Newsnight
BBC coverage of Jeremy Corbyn has been blasted by his supporters after the use of jaw-dropping graphics once again called the broadcaster’s impartiality into question. The BBC has been labeled a Tory propaganda tool.
Interviews were carried out on Newsnight on Thursday evening in front of a red-tinted image of Corbyn wearing a Russian Bolshevik cap against a doctored backdrop of Moscow’s iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral.
Ayesha Hazarika, former special adviser to Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband, was interviewed about the Skripal poisoning and the government’s reaction, along with Corbyn ally, Chris Williamson MP. When asked about Corbyn, Hazarika said "people were not completely clear about what he was saying."
#Newsnight describing guest Chris Williamson as a "Corbyn cheerleader" so condescending, purile journalism, like the stupid backdrop. BBC is shockingly tabloid.
— Paul Lawson #RJCOB (@mediaconspire) March 15, 2018
Corbyn has been criticized by MPs from both parties after asking the government for proof that Russia was behind the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Theresa May declared that Russia was “most likely” behind the incident, describing the nation as “culpable.”
READ MORE: Corbyn warns against ‘McCarthyite intolerance of dissent’ over Russia accusations
When the BBC decided to cover the issue, Newsnight’s producer mocked up a red backdrop adorned with Corbyn’s face, aping the style of early Bolshevik posters.
Labour MP Nick Torfaen told Newsnight that Corbyn had been reasonable in his response: “Jeremy Corbyn made clear that we should have a decisive, proportionate response based on the evidence… and that's an absolutely reasonable position for the leader of the opposition to take.”
It was the backdrop, however, that became the talking point on Twitter. One person wrote to Ofcom to complain. He said: “Please investigate why it was necessary for Newsnight to use a backdrop of Russia with a picture of Jeremy Corbyn on the show last night. This really is seriously biased and damaging Jeremy Corbyn’s reputation.” Corbyn fans were furious.
The @BBC pull no punches with their ‘Red Corbyn’ backdrop #Newsnightpic.twitter.com/XBkwcisjhy
— Martin Griffiths (@TransponderOff) March 16, 2018
BBC's the U.K. equivalent of RT. The BBC shows extreme bias against Corbyn, and all its main presenters are Tory supporters.Just look at this Newsnight sreenshot. Absolutely disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/6wsiv6izLZ
— Tom Speed (@TomSpeed420) March 16, 2018
They pulled a similar stunt early in 2017, photoshopping a red baseball cap on Corbyn bearing the legend “Make Britain Great Again”, thus linking him with Trump. I haven’t felt able to take Newsnight seriously since then.
— John Burgess (@jwb1953) March 16, 2018
What the fuck is wrong with you? Its not that long since people looked to newsnight as a credible source of information and opinion. That Soviet Corbyn visual at the back is a joke. You're supposed to be serious broadcasters.
— Solletico Ranting (@iLLpapaGiraffe) March 16, 2018
There is no way Newsnight's Corbyn-smearing backdrop tonight could be considered impartial. I despair of the BBC.
— Seirian Gwyn (@SeirianGwyn) March 16, 2018
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