We stand by the BBC. We fund the BBC. We think the BBC World Service is important. We want the BBC to have editorial independence: David Routley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of the FCDO
The British government has strongly defended the BBC and its editorial independence in Parliament following the Income Tax Department's survey operations on the New Delhi and Mumbai offices of the UK-headquartered Media Corporation over three days last week.
A Foreign Minister, junior minister in the Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Tuesday responded to an urgent question raised in the House of Commons, saying that the government will look into the "ongoing investigation" by the I-T department into the allegations. but stressed that media freedom and freedom of speech are essential elements of a "robust democracy".
FCDO's Parliamentary Under-Secretary David Rutley pointed to a "broad and deep relationship" with India which meant the UK was able to discuss a wide range of issues in a "constructive way".
“We stand by the BBC. We fund the BBC. We think the BBC World Service is important. We want the BBC to have editorial independence," Ratley said.
"It criticizes us (the government), it criticizes the (opposition) Labor Party, and it has that freedom which we believe is very important. That freedom is important, and we want to see the government around the world including in India Want to tell your friends about its importance."
Updating Commons on the issue, the minister said that India's I-T department has conducted what it described as a survey on BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, starting on February 14 and ending on February 16.
Highlighting that the BBC is "operationally and editorially independent", the minister said that the public broadcaster plays an important role and that the FCDO funds services in 12 languages, including four Indian languages: Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi. and Telugu are included.
"It will continue to do so, as it is vital to ensure that our voice – and an independent voice through the BBC – is heard around the world," he added.
Pressed by opposition MPs on the "extremely worrying raid" and asked about discussions with the Indian government, the minister said: "It is because of our extensive and deep ties with India that we are able to discuss a wide range of issues." In a constructive way with your government. As part of those conversations, this issue has been raised and we are monitoring the situation."
The immediate question was raised by Northern Ireland MP Jim Shannon, who described the action as a "deliberate act of intimidation following the release of an ineffective documentary about the country's leader" and accused him of failing to make a statement on the issue. Sharply criticized the UK government for
“The raids took place seven days ago. Since then – I say this respectfully – there has been silence from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. No government statement has been issued, and an urgent question has been raised to encourage the government to condemn this blatant attack on press freedom, said Shannon, a member of parliament for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
British Sikh Labor MP Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi expressed his concern that "India, a country with which we share the values of democracy and press freedom, raided the BBC offices following the airing of a documentary critical of the Indian Prime Minister's actions". decided to kill.
The minister replied, "These issues have absolutely been raised as part of those conversations."
Other Labor MPs pointed out that this was not the first time that authorities in India had "launched such investigations into media organizations that are critical of the current government".
“We need to make sure that our views on media freedom are clearly communicated with other governments. We have conversations not only with the Indian government, but around the world. We think these very important principles And as I said, these are essential ingredients for a strong democracy."
“Our broad and deep ties, guided by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the 2030 Road Map for the future of India-UK relations, allow us to discuss a wide range of issues with the Government of India in a constructive manner. We continue to follow the case closely," he said.
Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman, a vocal supporter of the Indian government, asked the minister to confirm whether I-T authorities in India have been investigating the BBC for seven years.
The minister, however, declined to comment on "an ongoing investigation in which the BBC is actively involved".
The I-T department said in a statement after the survey that the income and profits declared by the units of the organization were "not commensurate with the scale of operations in India".
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