Green Party says BBC failing on “most important issues of our times”

On Jun 27, 2024

The Green Party has lodged an official complaint with the BBC over its election coverage. Green co-leader Adrian Ramsey has accused the broadcaster of downplaying the climate crisis by not holding a specific debate on the issue.

In a letter to the broadcaster, the party accuses it of failing to cover the “most important issues of our times.” The Greens pointed out that a debate on the climate crisis had been held in 2019 but not during this year’s campaign. The only possible reason for not having a climate debate this time would be if we had solved the climate crisis. Nothing could be further from the truth, with every day bringing more evidence of climate breakdown,” Mr Ramsey said.

Mr Ramsey claimed the debate was needed as the Tories and Labour were “happy to avoid scrutiny of their climate policies.” He continued; “We know that the fossil fuel lobby has been working hard to break the national consensus on the need to take urgent action on the climate and nature emergencies.

The Green Party demands more focus on the climate crisis in election coverage from the BBC
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PA)

“We rely on the BBC to ignore this pressure and present voters with the facts to help them choose how to use their vote. Ten minutes of discussion as part of a broader debate does not allow for the scrutiny that is needed. That is why I have been calling on broadcasters to run a climate debate,” he said.

The party said it was prepared to make an official complaint with Ofcom, the media watchdog, if the broadcaster did not hold a debate on the environment before polling day on July 4.

A BBC Spokesperson said: “We have received this letter and are responding directly to the Green Party. The BBC’s election coverage has put voters at its heart, and offers people the chance to directly ask politicians about the topics which are important to them – this has included the climate, as well as health, cost of living and the economy.

“The Green Party co-leader, Adrian Ramsay, was also interviewed by Nick Robinson on Panorama this week, and will appear on a Question Time Leaders’ Special.”