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Written question asked by Bob Blackman (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 March 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 March 2021. It was answered by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 March 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.


BBC Arabic Service

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2021 to Question 159293, Israel: BBC Arabic Service, whether his Department's grant-in-aid to the BBC World Service is conditional on editorial impartiality; and what assessment he has made of the impartiality of that service's editorial line on matters relating to Israel.

Answer

The FCDO does not provide grant-in-aid funding to the BBC World Service. Through the World2020 Programme we provide funding for digital enhancements to the BBC Arabic service. The BBC is editorially and operationally independent from Government, so it would not be appropriate to agree objectives of this kind with the BBC. Questions about impartiality or perceived bias are matters for the BBC Board.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
167186
Session
2019-21
Related items
Israel: BBC Arabic Service
Monday, 8 March 2021
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Israel BBC Arabic Service
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk