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Peter Black a Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Gorllewin De CymruYn cynrychioli Aberafan, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, Castell-nedd, Ogwr, Port Talbot ac Abertawe |
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Black questions Question Time
2008 Mai 19 12:00 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Heritage, Peter Black has questioned the actions of BBC Question Time Chair, David Dimbleby during a meeting of the Assembly's Broadcasting Committee today.
Last Thursday (15th May) Question Time was filmed at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, less than 100 metres from the Senedd. During the show one audience member attempted to question the panel about the Welsh Assembly Government's voting record, only to be told by David Dimbleby, "I don't want to go into Welsh Assembly issues as it won't be understood outside Wales".
Later on in the same programme the panel was asked a question by a businessman from Bristol about testing in schools, despite the fact that many tests have been scrapped in Wales. Three weeks ago a whole edition of the show was dedicated to the London Mayoral race,
"Question Time very rarely comes to Wales but when it does it continues to talk about English-only issues as if they apply to the whole of the United Kingdom," said Mr. Black. "Even devolved issues are given an English spin. In that context the decision of David Dimbleby to refuse to allow discussion of something that had happened in the Welsh Assembly on the grounds that it might confuse the English is ludicrous."
"The BBC is a public sector broadcaster and the residents of Wales pay the same television license as someone in London. Despite this we continue to suffer lazy journalism on news and current affairs programmes in which reporters do not even attempt to try to understand whether the issue they are reporting on affects all or just part of the UK. David Dimbleby's dismissal of Welsh issues whilst filming in our capital City is yet another insult to be added to many others. I think Welsh viewers would be perfectly justified in demanding a rebate on their licence fee."