Criticism and Perception
Sky News operates under the requirements of United Kingdom broadcasting regulations that require neutrality although there are occasional claims that Sky News may be inherently biased due to the fact that it is a News Corporation company; most of News Corporation's news outlets have an openly conservative or right-wing outlook. Ofcom received complaints regarding the network's lack of neutrality ahead of the 2010 General Election.
In early 1994 Kelvin MacKenzie, former editor of The Sun newspaper, was appointed Managing Director of BSkyB. MacKenzie's proposed changes to Sky News lead to clashes with CEO Sam Chisholm and the head of Sky News, Ian Frykberg, who protested what they saw as an attempt to take its news values down market. The most ferocious battle occurred when Mackenzie wanted Sky News to run an interview with Lady Bienvenida Buck. Frykberg refused to air the interview and resigned shortly afterwards - the interview was put on Sky One. MacKenzie announced his resignation in August 1994, but not until Sky News had transmitted live pictures of the freeway chase of OJ Simpson white bronco on 17 June 1994 bringing US helicopter journalism to the UK.
Sky News covered the trial in Boston US trial of Louise Woodward with live coverage. When Sky returned to a regular schedule, viewers demanded the trial coverage. From Woodward's home in Elton, Cheshire Sky broadcast locals reactions, but this brought criticism of maintaining a pro-Louise Woodward stance, as she was found guilty but sentenced to time served.
In November 2005 the then head of BBC News, Peter Horrocks acknowledged that Sky News remained the first choice for "key opinion formers".
Ofcom received 652 complaints regarding the network's neutrality after it hosted the second Leaders' debate in the 2010 General Election.
On Saturday, 8 May 2010, Sky News presenter Kay Burley was heckled by a few protestors during an interview on College Green, one of whom demanded Burley be sacked. The channel cut the interview to go to a commercial break. Ofcom received 832 complaints about the incident.
Ofcom received 696 complaints over Sky News journalist Adam Boulton's conduct during an interview with Alistair Campbell.
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Famous quotes containing the words criticism and/or perception:
“Good criticism is very rare and always precious.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“In the new science of the twenty-first century, not physical force but spiritual force will lead the way. Mental and spiritual gifts will be more in demand than gifts of a physical nature. Extrasensory perception will take precedence over sensory perception. And in this sphere woman will again predominate.”
—Elizabeth Gould Davis (b. 1910)