BBC defends report after claims it made people in Gosport look uneducated

THE BBC has defended a news report after claims it made people in Gosport look uneducated.
INTERVIEW The BBC interviewer in GosportINTERVIEW The BBC interviewer in Gosport
INTERVIEW The BBC interviewer in Gosport

Borough council leader Mark Hook was amongst critics after BBC News visited Gosport on Monday to ask people about Theresa May becoming prime minister.

Residents were asked what they thought of Mrs May – who wanted to remain in the European Union – becoming prime minister as Britain looks to leave the EU.

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After the clip was shown on BBC’s News at Six, people took to Twitter calling the views ‘depressing’ and criticising one woman who said she wanted Nigel Farage as the new prime minister – despite the fact the Ukip leader is not even an MP.

But a BBC spokesman said: ‘Our report from Gosport was an impartial look at the opinions of Brexit voters on the appointment of Theresa May.

‘We featured a range of voices and opinions as our audiences would expect.’

The Corporation responded after Cllr Hook said: ‘It wasn’t a full reflection of residents in Gosport.

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‘I can understand what the BBC was looking for in people opposed to the 
decision and that seems to be the way they have shown the clip rather than those who spoke in favour.

‘I think it was a biased piece of journalism.’

Cllr Hook added: ‘I think the problem is that too many people are being clouded by the EU debate.

‘What we are looking for is a prime minister who takes the country forward.’

On Twitter, Alison Denham posted: ‘@BBCNews People of Gosport showing little understanding of how things work,’ while Sam Lane, tweeted: ‘Residents of Gosport embarrassing themselves on the national news. Absolute shock.’

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Forgettable Me posted: ‘That said, every Gosport person interviewed on the BBC sounded depressingly ignorant and uneducated.’

The town itself also 
came under fire with people saying they did not want to go there.

Alex Jenkins tweeted: ‘All I’ve learnt from BBC News’ visit to Gosport is that I never want to go to Gosport.’

Alan March tweeted: ‘Well I’ll never be stopping off in Gosport.’

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A BBC spokesperson said: ‘Our report from Gosport was an impartial look at the opinions of Brexit voters on the appointment of Theresa May.

‘We featured a range of voices and opinions as our audiences would expect.’