The Modern Myth of Impartiality: What the BBC and the Church of England Might Share in Common

MARTYN PERCY

We can all buy into the importance and value of impartial, fair, neutral, unbiased and balanced assessments. We expect our systems of justice to provide nothing less. No-one wants to be on trial in a court riddled with prejudice, bias and conflicts of interest. We expect our broadcasters to inform us. We do not watch the news to be groomed into thinking or acting in a particular way. (Should you covet a political slant on a subject, buy a newspaper?) In the Church, we expect pastoral care to be available to one and all. So we offer chaplaincy to the prisoner, giving our equal care to any victim of their crime.