THE BBC's RUSSIAN SERVICE Sia.—When, last year, Pharos made a
few criticisms of the BBC's Russian service in a brief paragraph, BBC spokesmen hastened to reply in a series of long letters. Now that Mr. Wiles has taken the trouble to give a full and balanced critique of the programme as a whole, based on a general investigation, most people will feel that we are entitled to some sort of comment from the BBC. So far, though several weeks have passed, it has maintained silence.
Even if the Corporation feels disinclined to com- ment on the extremely important questions of policy which have arisen, might it not at least be expected to say something on a point affecting its corporate honour? For Mr. Wiles's report, in passing, makes it clear that a number of gross inaccuracies were stated or implied in the name of the Corporation in last year's correspondence.
No doubt this is not as important as the errors, or apparent errors, of policy. But surely the standards of our public life require that such behaviour by, or on behalf of, a public body should not be passed over in silence. I cannot believe that the BBC will let itself remain corporately disgraced. But if, on both issues, no sense can be got out of the Corporation, I trust that those interested will (perhaps through their MPs) urge a governmental or other independent inquiry.—Yours faithfully,
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