Bottomley – BBC To Set Example

The National Heritage Secretary, Virginia Bottomley, is to urge the BBC to set an example to other broadcasters when depicting violence and bad language on television. She will also request a firm commitment from the BBC to remain politically neutral.

Mrs Bottomley is expected to push for the inclusion of an impartiality clause in the BBC’s new Royal Charter which will come into effect at the end of next year.

A survey being carried out into the amount and type of violence on TV is expected to be the subject of a meeting between Mrs Bottomley, the BBC and the Independent Television Commission at the end of August, when the findings of the report are published.