A British foreign office minister urged the Indian government to respect the “editorial freedom” of the BBC, highlighting during a debate in the Commons on Tuesday the freedom the broadcaster enjoys in criticising those in power and its importance to a democracy.
The response from David Rutley, a parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, came at the very end of a debate after Jim Shannon, Democratic Unionist Party MP for Strangford, had raised an “urgent question” in the Commons asking the minister “to make a statement on the raid of BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai, and allegations of tax evasion following the BBC documentary India: The Modi Question”.
Rutley was cautious in what he said during the debate but he concluded: “We stand up for the BBC. We fund the BBC.”
Rutley added: “We think the BBC World Service is vital. We want the BBC to have that editorial freedom. It criticises us, it criticises the Labour party, and it has that freedom that we believe is so important. That freedom is key, and we want to be able to communicate its importance to our friends across the world, including the government in India.”
Rutley began by telling Shannon: “As everyone in this House will be aware, the BBC is quite rightly operationally and editorially independent from His Majesty’s Government. While I cannot comment on the allegations made by India’s income tax department, the BBC has said that it is supporting its staff in its Indian offices and cooperating with the Indian authorities to resolve this matter as soon as possible.
“Respect for the rule of law is an essential element of an effective democracy, as are an independent media and freedom of speech. They make countries stronger and more resilient. That is why we regularly engage with and support different parts of India’s media. For example, the annual south Asia journalism fellowship programme, under the flagship Chevening brand, includes over 60 Indian alumni.
“As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (James Cleverly) has previously said, the UK regards India as an important international partner, and His Majesty’s Government are investing heavily in strengthening our ties. Our broad and deep relationship, guided by the comprehensive strategic partnership and the2030 road map for India-UK future relations, allows us to discuss a wide range of issues in a constructive manner with the government of India. We continue to follow the matter closely.”
Shannon was not satisfied with the answer and persisted: “I thank the minister for his response, but I want to develop the question. Let us be clear that this was a deliberate act of intimidation following the release of an unflattering documentary about the country’s leader.
“Since its release, there has been a concerted effort to prevent the documentary from screening in India. Take-down notices issued to Twitter and YouTube have resulted in an India-wide ban of the documentary on those platforms. There has been suppression of the freedom of expression of the media and journalists.
“When students from universities across the country have tried to organise screenings of the documentary on university campuses, dozens have been arrested, while others face Internet blackouts through power cuts. As the raids on the BBC offices commenced, the Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson issued a statement that said: ‘The BBC indulges in anti-India propaganda. India is a country which gives an opportunity to every organisation as long as you do not spew venom.’
“As has been said: ‘These raids have all the appearance of a reprisal against the BBC…. They have come at a time when independent media are being hounded more and more, and when pluralism is shrinking in India.’
