LONDON: The UK government’s defence of the BBC came after MPs, drawn largely from the opposition, condemned the hitherto silence of the Conservative government and asked what diplomatic steps had been taken to convey its opposition to the income tax searches at the broadcaster’s offices in India and what steps were being taken to “protect the BBC World Service from intimidation”, reports Naomi Canton.
In reply, David Rutley, parliamentary under-secretary for foreign affairs, said in a House of Commons debate on Tuesday that the UK had “wide-ranging conversations with the Indian government and these issues have been raised as part of those conversations”.
Rutley said, “It (BBC) criticises us (Tories), it criticises Labour Party, and it has that freedom which we believe is vitally important. That freedom is key, and we want to be able to communicate the importance of that with our friends across the world, including the government in India. ” He added BBC “is quite rightly operationally and editorially independent from” the UK government.
He wouldn’t comment on allegations made by India’s I-T department, but pointed out the broadcaster is “cooperating with Indian authorities to resolve this matter”.
Rutley said: “…Media freedom and freedom of speech are essential elements for robust democracies. We do believe that BBC plays a key role. ”
In reply, David Rutley, parliamentary under-secretary for foreign affairs, said in a House of Commons debate on Tuesday that the UK had “wide-ranging conversations with the Indian government and these issues have been raised as part of those conversations”.
Rutley said, “It (BBC) criticises us (Tories), it criticises Labour Party, and it has that freedom which we believe is vitally important. That freedom is key, and we want to be able to communicate the importance of that with our friends across the world, including the government in India. ” He added BBC “is quite rightly operationally and editorially independent from” the UK government.
He wouldn’t comment on allegations made by India’s I-T department, but pointed out the broadcaster is “cooperating with Indian authorities to resolve this matter”.
Rutley said: “…Media freedom and freedom of speech are essential elements for robust democracies. We do believe that BBC plays a key role. ”