Fiona Bruce: Question Time is necessary in the era of social media “news”

Fiona Bruce: Question Time is necessary in the era of social media “news”

As a lifelong journalist and a dedicated host of Question Time since 1989, I can confidently say that this program is more than just a TV show – it’s a beacon of unbiased journalism in an increasingly polarized world. With its unique blend of politicians, commentators, and everyday people, we strive to break the echo chambers and bring forth the truth as best as we can.


The show Question Time features a variety of politicians from different parties who answer questions posed by an audience representing diverse political viewpoints. Additionally, businesspeople, commentators, authors, journalists with their own political views are included on the panel, making for engaging and sometimes confrontational discussions. The politicians don’t know the questions beforehand, and often, neither do I.

Our goal has consistently been to help people break free from their personal bubbles. We recognize that internet algorithms can lead us to only see perspectives that align with our own worldview, a phenomenon similar to how newspapers have traditionally filtered information to some extent. However, social media platforms have significantly amplified this effect. And who’s checking the facts? Very little fact-checking is being done, leaving much of the information unverified.

It’s extremely aggravating for me, and I’m at a loss as to what the solution is. However, I can tell you that I’ve been with the BBC since 1989, and while we don’t always get it perfect, we make an enormous effort to verify our information and maintain impartiality in our work.

I have a framed snapshot of two tweets that were posted during an episode of Question Time. The first one reads, “Fiona Bruce is steering this program to the political right, even beyond Genghis Khan,” while the second one states, “Fiona Bruce is so far left on the political spectrum, she’s to the left of Trotsky.

One approach to understanding it might be that I’m maintaining a neutral stance. It’s crucial, regardless of personal beliefs, to present information in an objective manner. Trust in journalism is waning, and part of the reason is the proliferation of online conspiracy theories, misinformation, and fabricated stories.

Hey there, fellow movie lover! I’m thrilled to welcome you back to our weekly chat-fest, Question Time, now airing live on BBC One. If you can’t catch it live, don’t worry! You can always rewind the clock and watch tonight’s episode later on BBC iPlayer. Let’s keep the discussion going using #bbcqt. Let’s dive in and share our thoughts!

— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) June 27, 2024

I devour news content extensively. Keeping up-to-date on various topics from multiple sources is a crucial aspect of my work. I’m constantly questioning, “Is this information accurate?” and, with the rise of social media, that doubt multiplies significantly.

However, it’s concerning that social media platforms are increasingly serving as news resources. This isn’t just an issue for journalists; it affects everyone. Once a false story circulates, it becomes incredibly challenging to rectify the situation. I’ve experienced this firsthand, and I know how difficult it can be to have content removed from sites like Twitter, which has recently gained notoriety in this regard. Best of luck!

It’s quite widespread to think that Nigel Farage has appeared on Question Time more than any other contemporary politician, but this isn’t accurate. Since 2019, he’s only made one regular appearance on Question Time and two general election leadership programmes. Recently, a Green Party politician asserted online that Farage has been on Question Time more times than the Green Party over the past five years or so. However, it’s worth noting that this individual has appeared more frequently on Question Time than Nigel Farage, and the Green Party as a whole has made even more appearances overall.

As the editor at the BBC, we’re committed to maintaining a balanced representation across our show. This involves regularly adjusting the makeup of our panel – considering factors such as political affiliation (Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, etc.), gender balance, age range, and ethnic diversity.

Including someone in a discussion doesn’t guarantee they’ll respond to every question, but it can be aggravating when politicians dodge a query. I might try multiple times to get an answer or ask the audience member if their question was addressed, offering another chance to clarify. However, I aim to maintain a respectful and courteous environment, so I don’t want to provoke anger or rudeness. The debate is lively and emotional, but there’s no need for shouting.

Occasionally, there’s a thought about establishing a panel composed of individuals outside politics, replacing them with experts – an idea proposed by a TopMob reader. Although appealing and suitable for certain situations, it’s essential to remember that the purpose of Question Time is to keep those in power accountable. The Question Time audience values being able to pose questions like, “Why haven’t you addressed this issue?” to government representatives or “What are your plans regarding that matter?” to opposition members.

We’re considering bringing Question Time to the U.S. before their upcoming election, an endeavor that’s new for us. I’ve been informed that there isn’t a show quite like ours over there. I find our approach to presenting a wide political spectrum and questioning audience views intriguing – I’m eager to see how they respond to it in the U.S.!

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Fiona Bruce: Question Time is necessary in the era of social media “news”

Question Time returns to BBC One at 10:40pm on Thursday 19th September.

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2024-09-11 04:04