The BBC has come under fire following its latest episode of Countryfile, with some viewers accusing Sunday’s episode of feeling like a “Labour Party political broadcast”.The debate erupted after the show turned its attention to domestic abuse in rural communities, with presenter Charlotte Smith investigating whether victims living in the countryside continue to be let down by authorities.Labour’s Jess Phillips, the country’s Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, joined Ms Smith on the show to offer her expertise and discuss how the government’s new strategy to build a safer society for women and girls has been welcomed by the National Rural Crime Network.The programme came seven years after a landmark report criticised the response of several rural police forces to domestic abuse cases.Ms Smith posed the question of whether those experiencing abuse in remote areas are still being failed by the systems meant to protect them.The 2019 Captive and Controlled report had found that police handling of domestic abuse across seven rural forces was “largely inadequate”, with victims in countryside settings often enduring abuse for approximately 25 per cent longer than those in urban areas due to isolation.Countryfile’s investigation examined what progress, if any, has been made since those damning findings were published.Responding to criticism that the government’s current strategy lacked specific rural provisions, Ms Phillips defended the approach during her appearance on the programme.She told Ms Smith: “What I would say is, there’s also not a mention of anything urban in the action plan. There is a plan for the entire country.”The whole point of the strategy is about where, any victim of domestic abuse or any of the crimes listed, sexual violence, stalking, and harassment, where they present, we need to make those systems better.”The Safeguarding Minister argued that the strategy was designed to improve systems for all victims regardless of location, covering offences including sexual violence, stalking, and harassment.Ms Smith had pointed out to Ms Phillips that the government’s latest action plan contained very little mention of rural issues, despite the National Rural Crime Network welcoming the broader strategy to build a safer society for women and girls.LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:Deborah Meaden admits ‘I was tunnel-visioned’ over cancel culture denial as BBC star makes U-turnCat Deeley ex Patrick Kielty in ‘Anglophobia’ row as TV host accused of ‘anti-English’ remarksPiers Morgan hospitalised after ‘tripping on step’ as broadcaster details painful surgery ordealSoon after, the minister’s appearance on the programme sparked a furious reaction from some viewers, who took to social media to accuse the BBC of political bias.”Is this politicsfile? #countryfile,” one viewer sarcastically asked, before a second echoed: “Would be nice to have an episode of #countryfile with some farming on.””Get back to the farm stuff. #countryfile,” another weighed in while a fourth concurred: “#Countryfile Turned over.”Taking aim at Ms Phillips, in particular, a fifth fumed: “Jess Phillips is a complete hypocrite! Protection of Women & Girls in rural Countryside? She doesn’t believe in the girls who report the grooming gangs #countryfile.”And a sixth weighed in: “Thought I was watching a Labour Party political broadcast. Turns out, it’s just #countryfile stroking the leftists with a nice cosy little chit chat. So, usual #bbc fare then!”Meanwhile, another hit out: “I thought we had, had it too good for too long! Countryfile stick to country matters, it may well happen as it does in urban areas BUT domestic violance in the country is not what I tune in for. @BBC.”I agree it needs addressing but a lot of children I know watch countryfile for the animals and farming stories so they should make a programme after watershed addressing these issues.”However, the show wasn’t met solely by complaints, as some viewers argued the show was shining a light on an otherwise neglected issue.One X user argued: “I was about to say to Countryfile how amazing this piece on Domestic Abuse is. For those living in dangerous and horrendous situations, others speaking out and raising awareness is so important. Well done Countryfile and @BBC.”A second concurred: “So important to see that the @BBCOne #Countryfile airing a piece on highlighting the issue of #DomesticAbuse in #rural areas – it’s so important to share the additional barriers like gun licenses/remote locations, wi fi connections, phone networks etc.””Really interesting piece on Rural Domestic Violence on #Countryfile. Worth a watch,” a third supporter commented.Ms Phillips has faced broader criticism in recent months over her handling of the grooming gangs inquiry, with abuse survivors accusing her of “betrayal” and calling for her resignation in a joint letter to the Home Secretary.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Springsteen Denounces ICE Deployments and Renee Goods Killing
...
Read moreDetails