Thank you for contacting us concerning Newsnight, which was broadcast on Thursday 15 March. We understand you’re unhappy about the studio backdrop featuring Jeremy Corbyn alongside Russian imagery. To allow us to reply promptly, and to ensure we use our licence fee resources as efficiently as possible, we’re sending this response to everyone. We’re sorry we can’t reply individually, but we hope this will address most of the points raised.
The backdrop ran during a report on the relationship between sections of the British Left and Russia, prompted by the debate within the Labour party about how Jeremy Corbyn had reacted to government sanctions against Russia.
Newsnight is a late night current affairs programme with a distinctive style and the picture sat firmly within its long-running tradition of arresting graphics, applied to all types of stories. The backdrop was used earlier in the year, when the Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, was similarly superimposed. Mr Corbyn has been photographed wearing this particular hat and coat many times, and they were not in any way altered or ‘photoshopped’ to appear ‘more Russian.’
The report on the Left’s relationship with Russia was an entirely serious analysis of the issues concerned, with a discussion that featured a key ally of the Labour leader.
Please be assured your complaint has been made available through our daily reports to News staff and senior colleagues. This ensures the right people receive feedback promptly. We appreciate the time you’ve taken to raise this with us.
from the bbc
Dear moocher
Thank you for contacting us concerning Newsnight, which was broadcast on Thursday 15 March. We understand you’re unhappy about the studio backdrop featuring Jeremy Corbyn alongside Russian imagery. To allow us to reply promptly, and to ensure we use our licence fee resources as efficiently as possible, we’re sending this response to everyone. We’re sorry we can’t reply individually, but we hope this will address most of the points raised.
The backdrop ran during a report on the relationship between sections of the British Left and Russia, prompted by the debate within the Labour party about how Jeremy Corbyn had reacted to government sanctions against Russia.
Newsnight is a late night current affairs programme with a distinctive style and the picture sat firmly within its long-running tradition of arresting graphics, applied to all types of stories. The backdrop was used earlier in the year, when the Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, was similarly superimposed. Mr Corbyn has been photographed wearing this particular hat and coat many times, and they were not in any way altered or ‘photoshopped’ to appear ‘more Russian.’
The report on the Left’s relationship with Russia was an entirely serious analysis of the issues concerned, with a discussion that featured a key ally of the Labour leader.
Please be assured your complaint has been made available through our daily reports to News staff and senior colleagues. This ensures the right people receive feedback promptly. We appreciate the time you’ve taken to raise this with us.
Kind Regards
BBC Complaints Team