BBC viewers worried about political interference, boss says

October 16, 2025

BBC viewers worried about political interference, boss says

The BBC director general has said viewers are worried about political interference in the corporation, following the results of a major questionnaire about the broadcaster.

More than 870,000 members of the public answered questions online about the BBC and its place in society.

Fewer than half - 43% - said they thought the corporation was effective at being independent from government, while 38% thought it was ineffective.

"Yes, that is what people worry about," Mr Davie told BBC Breakfast. "They worry about, is the BBC being unduly influenced?"

Of the respondents, 91% said it was important for the BBC to be independent from the government of the day.

Mr Davie said the BBC is "absolutely not" unduly influenced by the government, and that the corporation's independence is "absolutely sacrosanct".

"I can reassure everyone we are independent editorially. We absolutely act without fear or favour," he said.

Asked about instances when government ministers call him to complain about the BBC's output, he said: "Very, very rarely will somebody call me on an editorial issue, because broadly speaking, it is respected that we have editorial independence."