The BBC’s director of news, Helen Boaden, has defended the corporation’s coverage of the TUC anti-cuts march last weekend.
It comes after the broadcaster received complaints from both sides claiming bias – some have accused the BBC of siding with protestors while others say journalists were too hard on the demonstrators and their cause.
Boaden wrote on the BBC editors’ blog: “This past weekend has highlighted just how difficult it is for an impartial broadcaster to please all the people all of the time.
“The extensive BBC News coverage of the TUC rally in central London featured interviews with major figures on the march, protestors and critics.
“Supporters were challenged regularly – and robustly – on their alternative to the Government’s programme and the Cabinet Office Minister Frances Maude featured prominently throughout a day of rolling news.
“We also tried to set in context the relatively small scale of the violent demonstration and to put across the views of the vast number of peaceful marchers.”
She added: “It is perfectly true that it is sometimes difficult to strike the correct balance and I hold my hands up when we don’t get it right. On this occasion, though, I think the BBC did serve its audiences appropriately and thoroughly.”
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog