BBC Breakfast viewers fume 'defund the BBC' after 'far right' segment

BBC Breakfast's Newswatch segment ignited outrage today as Samira Ahmed tackled the criticism the BBC was receiving over their recent reporting.

Two key topics were examined - the BBC's coverage of the Unite the Kingdom march, with Newswatch questioning whether it was "fair", and their reporting on US President Donald Trump's UK visit.

As Newswatch displayed footage of Unite the Kingdom being labelled as "far right", Samira confronted the anger the BBC had encountered, reading out responses from people who dismissed the "far right" description and argued that whilst Tommy Robinson had organised it, many participants were simply folk who have "had enough of what we see and hear everyday".

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Another viewer complained they constantly heard "far right this," and "far right that" from the BBC, before accusing the corporation of downplaying attendance figures and emphasising the limited violent clashes with police.

A third contributor argued the BBC should have concentrated on the number of people carrying the Union Jack to display patriotism for their nation, reports the Express.

However, others claimed the BBC gave excessive coverage to the demonstration, pleading with the broadcaster not to "incite further hatred by giving air time to these people".

The BBC released a statement in response, clarifying they had made clear the demonstration was organised by far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson, whilst maintaining they heard different explanations from attendees about their presence, which featured in their reporting, and relied on police figures for crowd numbers.

The coverage triggered anger from viewers, with one commenting: "Your news readers are an absolute joke calling the unite march 'far right' that are normal people wanting rights for British citizens."

Another chimed in: "Nope, hardly any coverage of the biggest march London has ever seen, not a national company at all, most bias tv channel on tv."

A third concurred: "Typical @bbc giving misinformation by branding the marchers as right wing, and reporting far less numbers than were in attendance."

A fourth hit out: "Hey, just seen this. Two years ago I stopped listening to the BBC. I want you defunded because you and I have nothing in common, nothing," while a fifth echoed: "Defund the BBC and their overpaid overrated presenters."

However, one viewer countered: "Far too much coverage of this Tommy Robinson march. Promoting a known criminal and another way of promoting Reform. I strongly object to my licence fee being used for propaganda purposes."

Another supported this view: "BBC News GUILTY of promoting Tommy Robinson and Trump and your 10 minute slot re-confirms what we already know. Where are the reports on Farage/Reform finances?"

BBC Breakfast airs every day at 6am on BBC One and iPlayer