The BBC has issued a statement following the backlash they received from viewers regarding a documentary that explored Prince William and Prince Harry’s relationship with the media.
Last month, journalist Amol Rajan presented the two-part series, The Princes and the Press which gave his spectators insight into the years leading up to the engagement and wedding of Meghan and Harry.
The detailed programme also delved deep into the illegal activities that some newspapers engaged in during the late 1990s and early 2000s and examined certain techniques that were used to target members of the royal family and their associates.
However, some viewers felt the documentary was distasteful and branded it “anti-Meghan media bias” and “disgustingly one-sided”. While some also felt it included “degrarding” comments about the Royals.
(Image: BBC/Patrick Smith)
But despite the uproar, the BBC has now hit back.
The Metro reported a spokesperson for the company said: “The Princes and the Press explored the relationship between the media and the monarchy, focusing on the younger royals.
“It included interviews with a range of print and broadcast reporters who follow the royals closely and heard their views on the relationship the press has with the royal family and what influences the stories that are published.
(Image: Getty Images)
“We conducted more than 80 hours of interviews and sought views from a wide variety of contributors.”
The spokesperson also made clear that the BBC approached the relevant associates for comment which was also included in the documentary on both episodes.
They continued: “This included approaches to Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House for comment or for a representative to be interviewed for this series. A joint statement issued by them was included in both programmes.”
After the documentary was released, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House also released a joint statement.
The statement read: “A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy.
“However, too often it is overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources that are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.”
Viewers are still able to watch the series The Princes and the Press on BBC IPlayer.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
