The people of Liverpool and LFC slammed the BBC's decision to allow MacKenzie to talk about journalistic ethics
Kelvin MacKenzie
Kelvin MacKenzie(Image: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)
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MP Ian Byrne has written to the government after former S*n editor Kelvin MacKenzie appeared on the BBC to discuss journalist standards. The BBC's decision to feature Mackenzie, who oversaw the S*n's shameful coverage of the Hillsborough disaster which blamed Reds fans for the tragedy, as part of its coverage of the resignations of its director general and head of news was slammed earlier this week by the people of Liverpool and the football club.
And now the MP for Liverpool West Derby, who is a Hillsborough survivor, has written an open letter to the government calling on it to ensure steps are taken to ensure similar lapses of editorial judgement aren't made in the future. Addressing the letter to Lisa Nandy, the secretary of state for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Mr Byrne said: "I am writing to express my profound concern at the BBC's recent decision to feature Kelvin MacKenzie, the disgraced former editor of The S*n, in a discussion on journalistic standards.
"Only last week we took a huge step forward with the 2nd reading of the 'Hillsborough Law'. Following this recent progress in Parliament, the decision by the BBC to platform Mackenzie has been received by many involved with Hillsborough as a significantly backward step.
"As you will be aware, Mr MacKenzie bears personal responsibility for publishing the infamous and deeply harmful 'The Truth' front page following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. That appalling headline, filled with lies and smears against Liverpool supporters, caused untold pain and trauma to the families of the 97 victims, survivors, and the wider Liverpool community. Its legacy of hurt and mistrust continues to this day.
"For the BBC, our national public service broadcaster, to give such an individual a platform to comment on ethics and journalistic integrity is beyond comprehension. It represents a grave error of judgement and an insult to all those who fought tirelessly for truth and justice in the face of decades of institutional failure and media malpractice.
"I would therefore urge you, as secretary of state, to raise this matter directly with the BBC's director general and board. The decision to include Mr MacKenzie in such a debate is totally incompatible with the BBC's duty to uphold trust, decency, and respect for the public it serves - particularly in communities so grievously affected by his past actions.
"The BBC must be reminded of its responsibilities, especially when dealing with issues that cut so deeply into our national conscience. There are countless journalists of integrity who could have contributed meaningfully to such a discussion.
"The decision to turn instead to someone synonymous with one of the darkest chapters in British media history is simply indefensible. I would appreciate your assurance that this issue will be addressed with the seriousness it deserves, and that steps will be taken to prevent similar lapses of editorial judgement in future."
Ian Byrne
Ian Byrne(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
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Director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness announced their departures on Sunday after the BBC came under fire over claims of "serious and systemic" bias from one of its former advisers amid claims that its Panorama programme misled viewers by editing footage of a speech by US President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021 to make it sound more like he was encouraging crowds to attack the US Capitol building.
In his note to staff on Sunday, BBC boss Mr Davie said: "Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility."
In the wake of the incident the BBC covered the story about its departing senior executives and the debate around bias and journalistic standards by booking Mackenzie. Mackenzie's interview first appeared as part of a news package that featured the views of people from the media industry on the resignation of the BBC executives on Sunday evening. This clip was then featured again on BBC Breakfast this morning.
The S*n's conduct following the disaster, under the leadership of MacKenzie, who edited the paper for a decade, led to its ban in Liverpool which almost exclusively remains in place to this day.
The decision to bring Mackenzie in to talk about journalistic standards amid the ongoing crisis at the BBC has been met with derision by many, including Liverpool fans.
Former ECHO journalist James Pearce, who now covers Liverpool for The Athletic, took to X to state: "BBC Breakfast inviting on Kelvin MacKenzie to talk about integrity and standards in journalism" followed by a head exploding emoji.
This post was shared by Spirit of Shankly, the official supporter's union for Liverpool FC, who added: "Unbelievable - surely not."
Jay McKenna, regional secretary for the TUC and a prominent Liverpool fan, added: "When talking about a story covering journalistic and news standards, integrity and honesty, why have BBC Breakfast used Kelvin MacKenzie?"
Former deputy editor of The Guardian Paul Johnson agreed, sharing a picture of The S*n's infamous Hillsborough front page and adding: "And so the editor responsible for this front page is on TV now lecturing BBC on journalistic ethics. Weird."
And according to The Athletic, bosses at the club were furious about the BBC decision to feature MacKenzie and complained to the public service broadcaster.
The ECHO contacted the BBC on Monday to ask for a response to this criticism. A spokesperson for the corporation offered no such response.
The spokesperson only pointed out that Mackenzie had not been a live guest on the BBC and that the footage of him had initially been broadcast on Sunday evening.