The Today programme and the banking crisis

Abstract

This research examines how BBC Radio 4’s Today programme reported on the 2008 banking crisis. Six weeks of coverage were analysed in order to identify patterns of source access and how these impacted on the range of debate offered to listeners. Results indicated that City sources dominated coverage, particularly during the two-week period around the British bank rescue plan. The consequence of this was that listeners were offered a prescribed range of debate on the UK government’s bank rescue plan and possible reforms to the financial sector. The research raises key questions regarding impartiality and balance in public service broadcasting.