Thought Control in the Airwaves:

Uncovering the BBC's Role in Shaping Public Opinion and

Political Discourse

MA British Studies

Centre for British Studies

Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin

Submitted by:

Shoaib Arif Malik

Matriculation no.: 628662

Submitted to: Dr Miles Taylor

Berlin, 30.03.2023
 Abstract

This paper investigates how the BBC's biased coverage of significant political events,

such as World War II, the Iraq War, and the 2019 General Elections, promotes

propaganda and shapes public opinion. The study reveals that the BBC has acted as

the propaganda arm of the British government, presenting a one-sided view favouring

the government's position. This has led to the BBC becoming a potent tool in

disseminating propaganda and shaping public opinion supporting the government's

policies. The paper highlights the need for greater accountability and scrutiny of the

BBC's role in promoting propaganda and emphasises its ethical responsibility to

remain impartial and present balanced perspectives.

Key Words: BBC, Propaganda, Information, News, Bias, Discourse, Opinion

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 Table of Contents

Abstract............................................................................................................................................... 2

List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................... 4

List of Figures .................................................................................................................................... 4

1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 5

1.1. Significance of Research..................................................................................................... 7

1.2. Research Question ............................................................................................................... 8

1.3. Thesis Statement .................................................................................................................. 8

2. Propaganda............................................................................................................................... 9

2.1. Historical examples of propaganda in the media............................................................... 9

2.2. Propaganda techniques and strategies ............................................................................... 9

2.3. How does propaganda affect public opinion and political discourse? ............................ 10

3. BBC and Propaganda ............................................................................................................ 12

3.1. World War II ..................................................................................................................... 13

3.2. Iraq War ............................................................................................................................. 15

3.3. General Elections 2019 ..................................................................................................... 18

4. The Influence of the BBC on Public Opinion and Political Discourse ............................... 20

4.1. The role of the BBC in shaping public opinion ............................................................... 21

4.2. The impact of BBC on political discourse ........................................................................ 23

5. Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 25

6. Bibliography ........................................................................................................................... 26

3
 List of Abbreviations

BBC: British Broadcasting Cooperation

EU: European Union

UK: United Kingdom

ITV:

CNN:

MOI: Ministry of Information

BARB:

US:

List of Figures

Figure 1: Iraqi Response to US Invasion ................................................................... 17

Figure 2: BARB Quarterly Reach Report (2019)....................................................... 22

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 1. Introduction

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has wielded a notable influence on public

opinion and political discourse in the United Kingdom since its establishment in 1922.

As a publicly funded organisation, the BBC must remain impartial and unbiased in its

news and current affairs coverage. However, concerns have been raised regarding the

potential role of the BBC in promoting propaganda and influencing public opinion in

favour of specific political ideologies and government policies.

This paper aims to scrutinise the role of the BBC in promoting propaganda and the

resulting impact on public opinion and political discourse. The term 'propaganda'

denotes the dissemination of information or ideas to influence or manipulate public

opinion. Propaganda can manifest in various forms, including news coverage,

documentaries, and entertainment programming.

To apprehend the role of the BBC in promoting propaganda, it is crucial to investigate

its history and the political context in which it operates. The BBC was instituted in

1922 as a public service broadcaster tasked with providing impartial and independent

news coverage to the British public. However, during World War II, the BBC was

pivotal in promoting propaganda supporting the war effort. The BBC's broadcasts

aimed to augment morale and foster national unity, with programming meticulously

curated to circumvent causing offence or dissent.

In the post-war period, the BBC's role in promoting propaganda evolved more subtly.

The ascent of television as a mass medium permitted the BBC to reach a broader

audience than ever, making it a formidable tool for shaping public opinion. The BBC's

coverage of the Iraq War 2003 exemplifies its role in promoting propaganda. The crisis

began with military intervention by the US and the UK. However, the BBC's crisis

5
coverage exhibited a marked bias in favour of the British government's stance, leading

some to accuse the broadcaster of promoting propaganda supporting the UK's actions.

In recent times, the BBC's role in promoting propaganda has been the subject of

controversy and debate. Critics have accused the BBC of bias in its coverage of

political events, notably in relation to the European Union (EU) and the Scottish

independence referendum. For example, during the EU referendum campaign in 2016,

the BBC was accused of providing a platform for pro-Brexit campaigners and failing

to challenge their claims while ignoring or downplaying arguments in favour of

remaining in the EU. Similarly, during the Scottish independence referendum in 2014,

the BBC was accused of bias in favour of the Better Together campaign, which sought

to maintain the union between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

The impact of the BBC's role in promoting propaganda on public opinion and political

discourse is a multifaceted issue. On the one hand, the BBC is responsible for

providing fair and independent coverage of news and current affairs, avoiding

promoting any particular political agenda. On the other hand, however, the BBC's role

in shaping public opinion is undeniable and has the potential to influence political

discourse significantly.

This paper will utilise a diverse range of sources to analyse the role of the BBC in

promoting propaganda, its impact on public opinion and political discourse, and the

mechanisms underlying it.

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 1.1. Significance of Research

The research question on the role of the BBC in promoting propaganda and its

influence on public opinion and political discourse is significant for several reasons.

Firstly, the BBC is one of the world's most prominent and influential broadcasters,

with a long-standing reputation for impartiality and independence in its news coverage.

Whether the BBC has fulfilled its responsibility to remain impartial and unbiased in

its reporting is therefore of great importance, particularly in democratic societies where

the media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion.

Secondly, the question of the BBC's role in promoting propaganda is particularly

pertinent in light of recent political events in the UK, such as the Brexit referendum

and the General Elections of 2019. These events have highlighted the media's potential

influence on public opinion and broadcasters' challenges in maintaining impartiality

and independence.

Finally, the research question has broader implications for studying media and

democracy, as it raises fundamental questions about the relationship between the

media, public opinion, and political discourse. By examining the role of the BBC in

promoting propaganda, this research question seeks to contribute to a better

understanding of the complex and dynamic relationship between the media and

democracy.

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 1.2. Research Question

What is the role of the BBC in promoting propaganda, and how has it influenced public

opinion and political discourse?

1.3. Thesis Statement

This paper investigates how the BBC promotes propaganda and affects the public's

perception of political events and discourse. The study will examine how the BBC's

coverage of three specific events - World War II, the Iraq War, and the 2019 General

Elections - demonstrates bias and assess the impact of this bias. By doing so, this

research intends to provide an in-depth understanding of the role of the BBC in

shaping political discourse and public opinion.

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 2. Propaganda

Propaganda uses communication media to manipulate and influence people's attitudes

and behaviours toward a particular ideology or agenda (Jowett & O'Donnell, 2018).

Propaganda can be achieved through various means, such as using symbols, language,

and imagery, and often involves the distortion or suppression of information to create

a desired impression or response.

2.1. Historical examples of propaganda in the media

Propaganda has been used throughout history to shape public opinion and advance

political objectives. As a powerful tool for disseminating information to the masses,

the media has played a significant role in creating and disseminating propaganda.

Historical examples of propaganda in the media include wartime propaganda efforts,

such as using posters, films, and radio broadcasts during World War II to promote

patriotism and demonise the enemy. The Soviet Union also employed propaganda

extensively, using posters and films to promote the ideals of communism and

denounce capitalism. As noted by Lasswell (1927), propaganda is a ubiquitous feature

of modern society, and its use has only grown in the digital age.

2.2. Propaganda techniques and strategies

Propaganda techniques and strategies are diverse and pervasive and have been utilised

throughout history by governments, organisations, and individuals seeking to

influence public opinion. Researchers have identified various propaganda techniques,

including emotionally charged language, selective information, and fearmongering.

The effectiveness of propaganda strategies depends on various factors, including the

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source's credibility, the message's context, and the target audience's receptiveness. A

study by Jowett and O'Donnell (2018) explores these techniques in depth and argues

that propaganda is most effective when subtle and persuasive rather than overtly

coercive or manipulative.

2.3. How does propaganda affect public opinion and political discourse?

Propaganda has long been a topic of interest in communication studies, as it has been

recognised as a powerful tool for shaping public opinion and discourse (Lasswell,

1927; Chomsky, 1988). According to Jowett and O'Donnell (2018), propaganda refers

to "the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and

direct behaviour to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the

propagandist" (p.1). Propaganda can take various forms, including political speeches,

advertisements, news reports, and social media content (Carragee and Roefs, 2004).

Research has shown that propaganda can significantly impact public opinion and

discourse. For example, a study by Mutz and Reeves (2005) found that exposure to

campaign ads can influence voters' attitudes and preferences, even when the ads

contain misleading or false information. Similarly, a study by Iyengar and Kinder

(2010) demonstrated that media framing could shape public opinion on political issues

by emphasising certain aspects of a story and downplaying others.

Propaganda can also negatively affect public discourse by promoting polarisation and

undermining democratic norms (Sunstein, 2001). For example, a study by Jamieson

and Waldman (2003) found that negative political advertising can reduce voters' trust

in the political process and increase cynicism. Similarly, a study by Stroud (2010)

10
showed that exposure to ideologically homogeneous news sources could lead to

greater polarisation and less willingness to compromise politically.

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 3. BBC and Propaganda

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is one of the world's most renowned

public service broadcasters. Founded in 1922, the BBC has been mandated by its Royal

Charter to provide impartial and independent news coverage and high-quality

entertainment and educational programming. Over the years, the BBC has built a

reputation for journalistic excellence and impartiality and is regarded by many as a

trustworthy and reliable source of news and information.

However, concerns have been raised over the BBC's role in promoting propaganda,

particularly during the war and political unrest. The BBC's coverage of events such as

World War II and the Iraq War has been criticised for its lack of impartiality and for

being unduly influenced by government interests.

According to the book "The BBC: Myth of a Public Service" by Tom Mills (2016), the

BBC is not as neutral and impartial as it claims to be. Instead, it is seen as a political

actor that operates within the boundaries set by the British state. The views and

interests of the BBC's management, predominantly from a narrow social and

educational background with close links to the government and corporate elite, often

influence the broadcaster's output. This results in inadequate coverage of critical issues

such as war, austerity, and climate change, as the BBC fails to challenge the dominant

narratives of the political and economic establishment.

In response to these concerns, the BBC has emphasised its commitment to impartiality

and accuracy in reporting. The BBC's Royal Charter, renewed in 2017, specifies that

the corporation must "provide duly accurate and impartial news, current affairs, and

factual programming to build people's understanding of all parts of the United

12
Kingdom and the wider world" (BBC, 2017). The charter also requires the BBC to

maintain editorial independence and to be transparent in its reporting.

3.1. World War II

During World War II, the BBC played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and

supporting the war effort. The BBC's broadcasts were listened to by millions of people

worldwide. The organisation used this reach to promote the British war effort and

counter the propaganda of Nazi Germany and other Axis powers.

In his book, This is the BBC: Entertaining the Nation, Speaking for Britain (2022),

Simon Potter argued that BBC faced a formidable challenge from government officials

and civil servants who aimed to exercise control over the organisation and exploit it a

vehicle for disseminating state propaganda. However, despite occasional differences

of opinion over the most effective approaches, BBC personnel generally maintained

close working relationships with civil servants and were willing to align with official

positions. He further argued that the BBC's royal charter and license, which underwent

renewal in 1937, conferred substantial authority upon the government with regard to

the BBC and provided for the augmentation of state control during emergencies.

Between 1936 and 1939, the BBC's controller of public relations, Sir Stephen Tallents,

held the position of director general designate of the Ministry of Information (MoI).

Additionally, Sir John Reith, who had previously held the post of director general of

the BBC, served as the minister of information from 1940 to 1942. The MoI was vested

with the power to scrutinise all scripts before they were broadcasted. Outside its news

department, the BBC adopted a self-censorship policy, which predominantly involved

preventing inadvertent disclosure of sensitive military information, such as weather

13
conditions or the precise location and scale of damage caused by German bombing

raids. However, as Sir Allan Powell, the wartime chairman of the BBC, observed, the

"silken cords" connecting the BBC with the government occasionally metamorphosed

into "chains of iron."

During the war, BBC personnel were essentially propagandists, although they may not

have been entirely cognizant of this fact. George Orwell, when describing his role in

the BBC Eastern Service to a friend, conceded that he was being "used by the British

governing class." (Potter, 2022)

According to David Welch (2016), propaganda was an essential tool for the British

government in mobilising public support for the war effort and played a key role in

helping Britain achieve victory. Furthermore, amidst the British propaganda efforts

during the war, dissenting voices levelled accusations against the government for

deceiving the populace and exploiting propaganda to influence public sentiment.

During the 1930s and 1940s, the British Government referred to its information policy

as 'propaganda'. Unlike totalitarian propaganda, which contained lies and defamation,

it claimed it was based on objective information. However, the British Government

still selectively omitted facts and subtly twisted truths to suit their agenda. While the

BBC broadcasts differed from Nazi propaganda in tone and content, they still had a

propagandistic purpose supporting Chamberlain's appeasement policy. It is important

to note that the BBC German Service was created with the political objectives of

Chamberlain's government in mind from its inception. (Stephanie, 2015)

14
 3.2. Iraq War

Beginning on March 20, 2003, and ending on December 18, 2011, the Iraq War, also

known as the Second Gulf War, was a military campaign launched by a coalition of

nations led by the United States against the government of Iraq. The United Kingdom

was a significant contributor to the military efforts. The primary justification for the

war was the belief that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs); however,

no such weapons were found post-conflict. The removal of Saddam Hussein's regime

led to occupation and reconstruction. The British media, notably the British

Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), provided extensive coverage of the war and the

events leading up to it. Despite being widely consumed by audiences in the UK and

worldwide, the BBC's coverage of the Iraq War has faced allegations of bias and

inaccuracy from academic sources.

The government used the BBC to propagate its message that Iraq possessed weapons

of mass destruction and posed a threat to global security. A study funded by Cardiff

University by Professor Lewis (2004) analysed the coverage of the conflict by four

major television news broadcasters in the UK. Specifically, the study examined the 6

pm BBC1 news, the 6:30 pm ITV Evening News, the 7 pm Channel 4 News, and the

9 pm Sky News.

• During the three-week conflict, the BBC quoted 11% of its sources from

coalition government or military sources, the highest proportion among

significant television broadcasters.

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• According to a study, the BBC gave the least attention to Iraqi casualties, which

were mentioned in only 22% of its stories about the Iraqi people.

• British broadcasters were more likely to assume the presence of chemical and

biological weapons than their absence. Even though no such weapons were

found during the war, 89% of references in British broadcasts assumed their

probable existence, while only 11% expressed doubt.

• The toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussain was shown 21 times in total on

the main evening news programs: five times on BBC 1, six on ITV News, seven

on Channel 4, and three on Sky, which had already shown the image many

times before as a rolling news channel.

• The event of toppling the statue provoked an outpouring of hyperbole among

reporters, who used words and phrases such as "momentous," "breath-taking,"

"extraordinary," "astounding," "tremendous," "ecstatic," "amazing," and

"fantastic."

• As shown in Fig.1, it was difficult for viewers to ignore the impression of a

united city celebrating its liberation.

• According to the BBCI 10 p.m. News on April 9, 2003, “The momentous

scenes of Americans taking control of central Baghdad were met with cheering

Iraqi civilians”.

• Journalist Rageh Omaar, during a BBCI 10 p.m. News on April 9, 2003,

described the experience as "utterly overwhelming."

• BBC News 24 on April 9, 2003, reported that American armoured vehicles

entered the heart of Baghdad and were greeted by jubilant Iraqis.

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 Figure 1: Iraqi Response to US Invasion

In 2003, Lord Hutton led the independent Hutton Inquiry to investigate the

circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly, a government weapons expert

who had acted as a source for a BBC report. The report claimed that the government

had manipulated intelligence to justify the Iraq War, alleging that the intelligence had

been "sexed up." However, the inquiry concluded that the story was baseless and that

the BBC had failed to verify the information its source provided adequately. The

inquiry further found that the BBC governance structures needed to be fixed, as the

corporation needed to investigate the complaints against it properly. Ultimately, the

Hutton Inquiry found that the BBC's story relied solely on an unverified source, and

the corporation did not sufficiently check the accuracy of the information provided.

(Hutton Inquiry, 2004)

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In his article, Pilger argues that the BBC, which is supposed to be a public service

broadcaster, failed to provide accurate and critical coverage of the Iraq War. He

accuses the BBC of being too deferential to the British government and accepting its

propaganda about the war without questioning it. Furthermore, when a US missile

struck a Baghdad market and killed 62 people, BBC News employed a strategy of

feigned neutrality by questioning who was responsible, a tactic often used when one's

side commits such atrocities. On Newsnight, a commentator from the BBC dismissed

the incident by stating, "It is a war after all... But the coalition aim is to unseat Saddam

Hussein by winning hearts and minds." (Pilger, 2003)

3.3. General Elections 2019

The 2019 General Election in the United Kingdom was a highly contentious political

event characterised by intense campaigning and numerous controversies. Throughout

the election, the role of the media in shaping public opinion was a subject of significant

debate. In particular, the role of the BBC in promoting or hindering certain political

parties became a focus of discussion, with accusations of bias and propaganda being

levied against the organisation.

The role of the media in elections has been a subject of academic study for many years,

with researchers exploring how news coverage shapes public opinion and influences

voting behaviour. In the case of the BBC, as a public service broadcaster, there are

particular expectations placed on the organisation to provide impartial and balanced

coverage of political events. This is enshrined in the BBC’s Charter, which stipulates

that the organisation should “ensure that controversial subjects are treated with due

accuracy and impartiality” (BBC Charter, 2017).

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Despite the BBC’s commitment to impartiality, many commentators and politicians

accused the organisation of bias during the 2019 General Election. One of the most

prominent examples of this was the treatment of the Labour Party under leader Jeremy

Corbyn. Some commentators argued that the BBC was biased against Corbyn and that

this bias influenced the election outcome. In an article titled, How the BBC lost the

election, Casalicchio (2019) suggested that the BBC's coverage of the election was

criticised for several reasons, including a perceived bias in favour of the Conservative

Party, a lack of impartiality in its reporting, and a failure to represent a diverse range

of voices and perspectives.

The credibility of the BBC was also negatively affected by a series of mistakes during

the 2019 UK General Election campaign. The BBC apologised twice for misleading

editing portraying Boris Johnson positively, and some prominent journalists shared

Conservative Party messages on Twitter. In addition, the BBC's election programming

focused on allegations of anti-Semitism against Jeremy Corbyn, while allegations of

Islamophobia in the Conservative Party were not given equal attention. Overall, these

factors contributed to a perception that the BBC favoured the Conservative Party and

amplified its message during the election (Fenton, 2019). According to Morrison

(2020), the BBC's selection of pundits was not consistently balanced, and there was a

bias toward the Conservative Party among the pundits who appeared on the program.

Piazza and Lashmar (2019) and Daniels (2019) addressed the issue of media bias in

the 2019 UK General Election coverage, focusing on the BBC's portrayal of the Labour

Party and its leader, Jeremy Corbyn. While Piazza and Lashmar argued that the media's

portrayal of Corbyn as a radical and unelectable figure reinforced the centrists' position

19
within the party and contributed to the party's eventual defeat, Daniels focused on the

specific ways in which the BBC's coverage exhibited a bias against the Labour Party.

Daniels cited a lack of coverage of Corbyn's policy proposals, an emphasis on negative

news stories related to the Labour Party, and a failure to hold the Conservative Party

to account for its record in government as evidence of the BBC's bias. Both articles

highlight the critical role of the media in shaping public opinion and influencing

political outcomes.

4. The Influence of the BBC on Public Opinion and Political

Discourse

The media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and political discourse. The

media influences how people understand and interpret the world by providing

information and analysing current events. News outlets, social media platforms, and

other forms of media serve as gatekeepers of information, deciding what stories to

cover and how to frame them. This power can be used to promote certain ideas and

agendas or to hold those in power accountable.

As the largest broadcaster in the UK, the BBC holds significant influence in shaping

public opinion and political discourse. It is one of the major players in the media

landscape, providing news and information to millions of people in the UK and

worldwide.

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 4.1. The role of the BBC in shaping public opinion

The BBC has significantly shaped public opinion as one of the world's most recognised

and respected media organisations. It has been instrumental in shaping the public's

understanding of current events and issues, providing coverage that has influenced

how people perceive and think about various topics. Through its news programs,

documentaries, and other programs, the BBC has helped shape public opinion on

various issues. Its reach and audience are vast. Data shows that the BBC has a

significant role in shaping public opinion, making it a vital institution for informing

and educating the public.

A study by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (2018) found that the BBC

remains the most trusted news source in the UK, with 62% of respondents saying they

trusted the BBC to provide accurate and impartial news.

According to the BARB Quarterly Reach Report (2019), as seen in Fig. 2, BBC One

was the leading TV channel in the United Kingdom, with a reach of approximately

55%. Channel 4 and BBC Two followed closely with a reach of 50% and 49%,

respectively. These three channels are the most popular and widely viewed in the UK,

attracting a significant portion of the country's television audience.

21
 Figure 2: BARB Quarterly Reach Report (2019)

In another survey conducted among adults who follow the news by Ipsos MORI

(2020), it was found that the BBC is the most likely source for accurate news

coverage, with 62% of respondents indicating they would turn to it, followed by 9%

opting for Sky News and 5% for ITV. Regarding impartial news coverage, half of the

respondents (51%) said they are most likely to turn to the BBC, while 7% opted for

Sky News and 5% for ITV.

22
These findings suggest that a significant portion of the population perceives the BBC

as a trusted and impartial news source. A large segment of the population constructs

their opinion based on the information and news they get from the BBC.

4.2. The impact of BBC on political discourse

Political discourse refers to exchanging ideas and opinions on political issues among

individuals or groups, usually to influence public opinion or decision-making

processes. It encompasses the use of language and communication to articulate

political beliefs, values, and goals. It plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion,

setting the political agenda, and mobilising voters. The media plays a crucial role in

controlling political discourse by shaping the information the public can access and

influencing how political issues are discussed and framed. The media can influence

public opinion and affect political outcomes through various forms of media, such as

newspapers, television, radio, and social media. For example, media outlets can choose

which political issues to cover, how to frame them, and which voices to include in their

reporting. They can also focus on certain story aspects while ignoring others, shaping

how people perceive the issue. The media's control over political discourse can be

positive and negative, depending on their level of accuracy, impartiality, and

responsibility.

The BBC is a public service broadcaster that has significantly shaped political

discourse in the United Kingdom. Scholars have examined the impact of the BBC on

political discourse through various lenses, including the representation of political

parties, the framing of issues, and the impact of the BBC's news coverage on public

opinion.

23
Several studies have explored the relationship between the BBC and political

discourse. According to a survey by Ipsos MORI in 2020, the BBC remains the most

trusted news source in the UK, with 62% of respondents stating that they trust the BBC

to provide accurate and impartial information. This level of trust is significantly higher

than that of other news sources, including commercial broadcasters and social media

platforms.

Moreover, a study by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found that the

BBC's online news platform is the most widely used in the UK, with 54% of online

news consumers accessing BBC News at least once a week. In all Radio listening,

Nielsen et al. (2020) found that the BBC still accounted for 63% of all radio listening

in the UK in early 2019.

This suggests that the BBC significantly influences the country's news agenda and

political discourse.

A study by Wahl-Jorgensen et al. (2013) at Cardiff University, who analysed

BBC news coverage from 2007 and 2012, concluded that conservative opinions

received more airtime than progressive ones. When reporting on the UK's relationship

with Europe, the BBC often portrayed the EU as an issue that needed to be addressed

and from the perspective of British national interests.

In his article Pluralism or partisanship Morrison (2020) suggested that the BBC's

selection of pundits was not consistently balanced and that there was a bias toward the

Conservative Party among the pundits who appeared on the program.

24
 5. Conclusion

This paper has examined the role of the BBC in promoting propaganda and its impact

on public opinion and political discourse. It is evident from the analysis of the three

case studies that the BBC has been a potent tool for disseminating propaganda and

shaping the public narrative in support of the British government's policies.

BBC's coverage of World War II, the Iraq War, and the 2019 General Elections

highlight how the BBC has acted as the propaganda arm of the British government. In

these instances, the BBC's coverage was biased and unbalanced, presenting a one-

sided view favouring the government's position.

The BBC's influence in shaping public opinion and driving political discourse should

not be underestimated, given the substantial evidence indicating that a significant

majority of the British population regards it as a credible source of news and

information. Consequently, individuals rely on the BBC's coverage to form their

political perspectives and construct their worldviews. Moreover, the BBC's broad

reach and audience make it a critical medium in shaping public opinion, particularly

concerning significant events like elections and wars.

As a publicly funded broadcaster, the BBC has an ethical responsibility to remain

impartial and present balanced perspectives. However, the findings presented in this

paper reveal that the BBC has frequently fallen short of this standard in its coverage

of critical events.

In conclusion, this paper highlights the need for greater scrutiny and accountability of

the BBC's role in promoting propaganda. The BBC must strive to maintain its

impartiality and provide a balanced view of events to avoid the risk of becoming a tool

for promoting government propaganda.

25
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