While I realize there are significant differences between American and British law, I have to admit I was taken aback by word that the British Independent Television Commission is investigating the rabidly right wing Fox News Channel for violating England’s “media impartiality” rules.
In the U.S., of course, we know full well that the FNC has long since abandoned any pretense of “impartiality,” but with a First Amendment, the network’s so-called journalists can get away with trampling on industry standards for news. Having a free press means it’s up to us, as viewers, to either watch their biased reports or change the channel.
The British system is, however, a little different. While we have an FCC that issues licenses to commercial television networks and oversees mild and toothless regulations of the industry, England has the Independent Television Commission, which is detached from the British government but given the responsibility to license broadcasters and set “standards” for content.
Most importantly, the ITC investigates complaints filed by British citizens against networks. Apparently, more than a few of our friends in the U.K. have been checking out the Fox News Channel, which reaches the country via satellite cable service, and many British viewers are about as impressed with the network as I am.
According to a report in today’s London Guardian, if the ITC determines that Fox News has breached the country’s rules mandating impartiality for news networks, the agency can force the network from the air. The move would not be without precedent. The ITC revoked the license of a channel four years ago that was devoted to medical news, for example, after concluding that the network was biased in its reports.
Specifically, the ITC’s guidelines require that “any news, given in whatever form, must be presented with due accuracy and impartiality.” Moreover, news reports should be “dispassionate” and “give viewers an even-handed account of events.”
Given that description, I’d say the FNC in England is toast. The whole idea of the network is to discard “accuracy and impartiality” and direct viewers to a specific ideological conclusion.
As much as I loathe the network and its political agenda, I must admit the idea of censorship causes me apprehension. One side of me thinks, “Pull their license and force them from the airwaves. It’s not a news network; it’s a propaganda machine.” The other side of me believes, “In a free market of ideas, the people should decide. If a news source is consistently wrong, biased, and unfair, viewers will ultimately punish the outlet by turning away.” I’m afraid my disgust with the network is clouding my objectivity on this question.
In any event, I’ll let you know if I hear what the ITC decides.