BBC rural coverage under fire as poll reveals perceived bias

YouGov poll exposes rural dissatisfaction

Regional Moorland Groups have written to the BBC calling for urgent reform of the Corporation’s countryside coverage, citing damning new polling figures.

YouGov research shows only 2% of UK adults believe the BBC represents rural areas “very accurately”. More than half of rural residents (53%) say the Corporation relies on a narrow group of individuals and organisations when covering countryside issues.

Just 24% of Britons consider the BBC unbiased on rural matters, whilst 37% of rural residents believe their areas are represented inaccurately and 38% feel they themselves are misrepresented.

The letter, signed by Richard Bailey on 10 December, co-ordinator of Peak District Moorland Group, points to ongoing concerns about metropolitan bias first raised in a 2014 BBC Trust review, which found rural stories were “too often viewed through the lens of environmentalism”.

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Moorland groups demand urgent reform

Regional Moorland Groups argue that when the BBC covers moorland management, grouse shooting or upland farming, the voices of gamekeepers, farmers and land managers are marginalised or absent, with airtime instead given to urban-based campaigning organisations.

The groups are calling for independent rural correspondents with direct farming and land management experience, clear editorial guidelines ensuring balance, and a dedicated Rural Affairs department.

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Context: leadership changes at the BBC

The timing follows the November resignation of director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness over the misleading editing of President Trump’s speech.

The YouGov poll of 6,495 adults was conducted between 30 November and 3 December 2025.