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Countryfile viewers slam BBC for 'disgraceful and misleading' episode

27 May 2024 , 13:39
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The publicly funded corporation has once again come under fire
The publicly funded corporation has once again come under fire

COUNTRYFILE viewers have slammed the BBC for broadcasting a 'disgraceful and misleading' episode.

Some fans of the nature programme have accused producers of showing bias when covering a controversial topic.

Presenter Charlotte Smith investigated the latest plans to tackle TB in cattle eiqrrikitdprw
Presenter Charlotte Smith investigated the latest plans to tackle TB in cattleCredit: BBC
She spoke to a variety on contributors across the debate spectrum
She spoke to a variety on contributors across the debate spectrumCredit: BBC
Many fans were disgusted by what they saw as 'biased' reporting
Many fans were disgusted by what they saw as 'biased' reportingCredit: BBC

On the most recent episode of the long-running nature series, presenter Charlotte Smith, 60, investigated the latest plans to tackle TB in cattle.

She conducted a variety of interviews focussing on Bovine Tuberculosis in England and Wales. 

This is a chronic bacterial disease, for which cattle are the main source of infection for humans.

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The programme noted how badgers can be infected and transmit the disease to cattle, which in turn could transmit the disease to humans.

Countryfile investigated whether the policy of badger culling could help to curb the spread of the infection.

The long-running BBC nature show used scientific and governmental sources and statistics to show the different sides of the debate.

Although the programme presented arguments both in favour and against the policy of 'badger culling', viewers were not impressed.

They took to social media in their droves as they claim the programme was 'misleading' as they accused the BBC of favouring one side of the argument over the other.

One viewer claimed: "#Countryfile Misleading and biased in favour of badger culling once again."

A second user stated: "#Countryfile still spring out the same old badgerphobic bile that they have done for the last 10/15 years. Farming, and defra, have learnt NOTHING. Badgers are not the problem. Farming practices are."

"I see #Countryfile is editorialising for killing badgers again. F*** biodiversity the minute it inconveniences farmers, eh lads?", exclaimed a third.

As a fourth nature fan fumed: "@BBCCountryfile glad to see you’re covering TB but you shouldn’t allow the badger trust or Welsh govt to misrepresent TB stats, badger trust suggesting cleanliness is the issue & badgers aren’t is quite ridiculous."

As someone else claimed: "Once again @BBCCountryfile are getting their facts wrong in connection with #bTB and badgers. There is no evidence that badger culling has ever worked to curb the disease."

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They added: "Farmers have consistently and wrongly argued this point. Culling is being done to appease farmers."

The Sun has approached the BBC for comment.

Countryfile used scientific and government data and sources in their reporting
Countryfile used scientific and government data and sources in their reporting
Rosie Wood, chair of the Badger Trust hit out at the badger cull
Rosie Wood, chair of the Badger Trust hit out at the badger cullCredit: BBC
Users on social media slammed the show for showing 'misleading' facts
Users on social media slammed the show for showing 'misleading' facts

Joshua Rom

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