I am a long-standing supporter of the BBC. I have spoken and written in its defence in the past. I believe it operates to very high standards and it has done very good work on antisemitism, such as John Ware’s brilliant Panorama documentary on racism in the Labour Party and Andrew Neil’s interview on the issue with Jeremy Corbyn during the last election.
But the JC’s campaign has raised very serious issues and made a big impression in Parliament.
Members of both houses have told me they are concerned about the BBC’s reporting on issues around antisemitism and Israel, especially after the Ofcom report.
That is why we have established this inquiry.
The committee is comprised of friends of the BBC, some of whom have worked there and understand how the corporation works.
Our inquiry will be wholly impartial and rigorous and will simply aim to produce a report that offers expert guidance and recommendations for the corporation to address when it comes to antisemitism and Israel, the handling of complaints and the “culture of defensiveness” identified by Ofcom.
The BBC is one of the most important institutions in British life and is part of our heritage. It is our hope that this inquiry will help the BBC uphold its core values of accuracy and impartiality.
Lord Austin is a life peer
