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BBC Practitioner practice questions

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Question 1News

In BBC editorial guidelines, the term 'due impartiality' means that impartiality must be

  1. maintained over time and across a body of coverage rather than in every single item Correct answer.
  2. applied only to coverage of elections and referendums
  3. achieved by giving exactly equal time to two opposing views in every report
  4. left to the presenter's personal judgement in each individual broadcast

Explanation

Due impartiality recognises that balance may be achieved across a series of reports and over time, not necessarily within each individual item. It still requires that no significant viewpoint is excluded or misrepresented. Equal-stopwatch balance in every item is not the standard.

Question 2News

Under BBC Editorial Guidelines, the term 'accuracy' in news requires that

  1. only statements from official sources are broadcast
  2. claims are checked and any significant error is corrected promptly and clearly Correct answer.
  3. corrections are made only if a complaint is upheld by the regulator
  4. reporting avoids publishing anything that could be disputed

Explanation

Accuracy means taking care to check facts and to present them in context, and correcting significant errors quickly and transparently. It does not mean avoiding contested material or relying solely on official sources. Corrections are an editorial duty, not dependent on a regulator's ruling.

Question 3News

A BBC journalist receives an anonymous tip alleging misconduct by a public figure. According to the guidelines, the first editorial step is to

  1. broadcast the allegation with attribution to 'sources' to protect the tipster
  2. pass the allegation to the police and take no further action
  3. seek corroboration and evidence before considering publication Correct answer.
  4. publish only if the figure declines to comment

Explanation

Allegations of wrongdoing, especially anonymous ones, require corroboration and evidence before broadcast. The guidelines stress verification and fairness to those accused. Broadcasting unverified claims with vague attribution risks serious inaccuracy and unfairness.

Question 4News

When a BBC programme reports a controversial political issue, 'due weight' requires that

  1. the government's position is given more airtime as the official view
  2. significant views are given appropriate prominence in proportion to their importance Correct answer.
  3. only views held by a majority of the public are represented
  4. all viewpoints receive identical duration regardless of significance

Explanation

Due weight means reflecting the significance of the range of views, not treating all opinions as equally important or privileging the government. It is about proportionate representation of significant perspectives. Identical durations are not required.

Question 5News

In BBC news reporting, the use of 'due accuracy' is best described as

  1. accuracy that can be relaxed when reporting breaking news permanently
  2. accuracy that only applies to numerical or statistical claims
  3. accuracy that is required only in investigative documentaries
  4. accuracy judged in relation to the nature of the subject and the likely impact of any error Correct answer.

Explanation

Due accuracy is proportionate: the care taken should reflect the subject matter and the potential harm of getting it wrong. It applies across all news output, not just statistics or documentaries. Breaking news demands care too, though context may be added as facts develop.

Question 6News

A BBC reporter wants to interview a child about a local event. Under the guidelines, consent for the interview should normally be obtained from

  1. the child alone, if the child understands the purpose
  2. the school head teacher only
  3. the local authority press office
  4. the child and a parent or guardian, unless a specific justification applies Correct answer.

Explanation

The guidelines generally require the consent of both the child (where capable) and a parent or guardian for interviews with children. Exceptions may be justified where the story concerns the child's welfare, but the default is dual consent. Consent from a school or authority is not a substitute.

Question 7News

The BBC's approach to privacy in newsgathering requires that intrusion into private life must be

  1. approved by the person whose privacy is affected
  2. limited to public places only
  3. justified by the public interest and proportionate Correct answer.
  4. avoided entirely in all news reporting

Explanation

Privacy may be overridden only where there is a genuine public interest and the intrusion is proportionate to that interest. Privacy is not absolute, but neither can it be set aside casually. Consent and location are relevant factors but not the governing test.

Question 8News

When reporting a story involving a person accused of a crime in the UK, a key legal risk for BBC journalists is

  1. defamation of the police by reporting an arrest
  2. copyright infringement from using the accused's name
  3. breach of the Official Secrets Act by naming the accused
  4. contempt of court through material that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice to proceedings Correct answer.

Explanation

Once proceedings are active, publishing material that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice can amount to contempt of court. Naming an accused is not itself a copyright or secrets issue. Reporting an arrest accurately is not defamatory of the police.

Question 9News

A BBC newsroom receives covertly recorded material from a member of the public. Before use, editors should primarily consider

  1. whether the material can be attributed to a named source
  2. whether the material is entertaining enough for broadcast
  3. whether the public interest justifies using covert material and whether it can be verified Correct answer.
  4. whether the recorder has waived any payment

Explanation

Use of covertly obtained material requires a public interest justification and verification, in line with the guidelines on secret recording. Entertainment value is irrelevant to the editorial decision. Attribution and payment do not resolve the ethical question.

Question 10News

The BBC's editorial guidelines on 'harm and offence' generally require that potentially offensive content is

  1. removed entirely from all platforms
  2. contextualised and signposted so audiences can make informed choices Correct answer.
  3. approved by an external regulator before transmission
  4. broadcast only after midnight

Explanation

The guidelines require that potentially offensive material be justified by context and appropriately signposted, such as with warnings. Outright removal is not required, nor is a fixed watershed rule for all content. Pre-approval by a regulator is not the mechanism.

Question 11News

A BBC journalist is offered a free holiday by a company that is the subject of an upcoming investigation. The appropriate response under the guidelines is to

  1. accept it only if the investigation is dropped
  2. accept it and donate the value to charity
  3. decline it, as it could compromise independence and impartiality Correct answer.
  4. accept it, provided it is declared in the programme credits

Explanation

Accepting gifts or hospitality from a party under investigation risks compromising independence and impartiality and should be declined. Declaration does not cure the conflict. Dropping the investigation or donating value does not address the underlying conflict.

Question 12News

In BBC output, 'audience' in the context of editorial decision-making refers to

  1. only people who have registered complaints
  2. only licence fee payers resident in the UK
  3. advertisers who fund commercial services
  4. the full range of people who consume BBC content, including international audiences Correct answer.

Explanation

The BBC serves a broad audience including international users of its services, and editorial decisions should consider the full range. Licence fee payers and complainants are subsets. Advertisers are not the editorial audience for licence-funded services.

Question 13News

When a BBC report includes user-generated content from social media, the guidelines require editors to

  1. assume the content is authentic if it has many shares
  2. publish it only if the original poster is a journalist
  3. watermark it as 'unverified' and publish without checks
  4. verify authenticity and seek permission where appropriate Correct answer.

Explanation

User-generated content must be verified for authenticity and rights, and permission sought where appropriate. Popularity does not establish authenticity. Labelling as unverified is not a substitute for checking before use.

Question 14News

The concept of 'false balance' in BBC journalism refers to

  1. ensuring equal numbers of government and opposition interviewees
  2. balancing the number of male and female presenters
  3. presenting two equally valid scientific findings side by side
  4. giving equal weight to a minority view that is not supported by evidence alongside a well-established position Correct answer.

Explanation

False balance occurs when a fringe or unsupported view is presented as equivalent to an established, evidence-based position, misleading the audience. It is not about presenter demographics or party political balance. Presenting two genuinely valid findings is not false balance.

Question 15News

Under BBC Editorial Guidelines, reporting on a person's sexual orientation without consent is generally

  1. permitted if the information is already rumoured online
  2. permitted if the person is a public figure
  3. an intrusion into privacy requiring strong public interest justification Correct answer.
  4. prohibited in all circumstances without exception

Explanation

Revealing private information such as sexual orientation without consent is a privacy intrusion that requires a strong public interest justification. Public status or online rumours do not remove the privacy interest. It is not absolutely prohibited, but the threshold is high.

Question 16News

When a BBC news programme makes a significant factual error, the guidelines require that the correction is

  1. published only in the programme's internal log
  2. issued only after legal review is complete
  3. delayed until the next annual review
  4. made promptly and with appropriate prominence Correct answer.

Explanation

Significant errors must be corrected promptly and with prominence appropriate to the original error, so the audience is properly informed. Internal logging or long delays do not meet this standard. Legal review may be part of the process but should not indefinitely delay correction.

Question 17News

A BBC journalist is covering a protest and is offered a placard by an organiser to hold during the march. The journalist should

  1. accept it to build rapport with the protesters
  2. accept it only if the placard is not political
  3. accept it and later report the protest neutrally
  4. decline it, as taking sides compromises impartiality Correct answer.

Explanation

Journalists should not participate in the events they report, as visible participation compromises the appearance and reality of impartiality. Rapport-building does not justify taking sides. The political nature of the placard or later neutrality does not cure the problem.

Question 18News

In the context of BBC election coverage, 'due impartiality' requires particular care because

  1. election periods create heightened risk that coverage could influence voting outcomes Correct answer.
  2. political parties must approve all broadcast scripts
  3. impartiality rules are suspended during campaigns
  4. elections are the only topic covered by the guidelines

Explanation

During elections, coverage can affect democratic outcomes, so impartiality obligations are applied with heightened care across parties and issues. Elections are not the only topic covered, and parties do not approve scripts. Rules are not suspended; they are emphasised.

Question 19News

The BBC's guidelines on 'right of reply' generally mean that a person facing significant criticism in a programme should

  1. be told the identity of confidential sources
  2. be allowed to edit the relevant section of the script
  3. be guaranteed the final word in the broadcast
  4. be given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations Correct answer.

Explanation

Fairness requires giving people criticised a reasonable opportunity to respond to the substance of the allegations. They do not get script approval, source identities, or a guaranteed last word. The aim is fairness, not editorial control.

Question 20News

When reporting on a suicide, BBC guidance generally advises that journalists should

  1. name the deceased's family without consent
  2. present suicide as a solution to problems
  3. avoid excessive detail about method and location and include support information Correct answer.
  4. describe the method in detail to inform the public

Explanation

Sensitive reporting on suicide avoids excessive detail about method or location, which can increase risk, and includes information about sources of support. Detailed method descriptions and framing suicide as a solution are specifically discouraged. Naming family without consent raises privacy concerns.

Question 21News

A BBC journalist wants to use hidden cameras in a care home. Under the guidelines, this is most likely justified when

  1. the care home manager consents to the filming
  2. there is evidence of serious wrongdoing and other methods have failed or would fail Correct answer.
  3. the story would attract high ratings
  4. the footage can be obtained quickly

Explanation

Covert recording is justified only where there is a public interest in exposing serious wrongdoing and open methods are unlikely to succeed. Ratings and speed are not justifications. Consent from the manager would make the filming overt, not covert.

Question 22News

The BBC's editorial guidelines require that news is presented with 'due impartiality' on matters of

  1. personal hobbies and interests
  2. sports results and fixtures
  3. public policy and political or industrial controversy Correct answer.
  4. fashion and lifestyle trends only

Explanation

Due impartiality applies to matters of public policy and to political or industrial controversy, where coverage could influence opinion. Lifestyle, sport and hobbies do not generally raise the same impartiality obligations unless linked to controversy.

Question 23News

When a BBC report relies on a single anonymous source for a serious allegation, editors should

  1. broadcast immediately to stay ahead of competitors
  2. name the source to protect the BBC legally
  3. avoid any mention of the allegation
  4. seek additional corroboration and consider explaining the source's reliability to the audience Correct answer.

Explanation

Serious allegations based on a single anonymous source require additional corroboration and transparency about source reliability where possible. Speed does not override verification. Naming a confidential source would breach confidentiality, and total avoidance is not required if the story can be properly verified.

Question 24News

Under BBC Editorial Guidelines, the use of offensive language in a news report is generally acceptable when

  1. it is essential to the story and its use is justified and signposted Correct answer.
  2. it is used only in online versions
  3. the presenter finds it amusing
  4. it appears in a quote from any interviewee

Explanation

Offensive language may be used where it is essential to the story, justified by context, and appropriately signposted to audiences. Mere quotation, presenter preference, or platform differences do not by themselves justify it.

Question 25News

A BBC journalist covering a court case must be especially careful about

  1. publishing the judge's summing up
  2. reporting the verdict once it is delivered
  3. reporting what is said in open court accurately and without adding material that could prejudice the trial Correct answer.
  4. interviewing the defendant's family outside court

Explanation

Court reporting must be accurate and must avoid publishing material outside what is said in open court that could prejudice active proceedings. Reporting the summing up and verdict is generally permissible. Interviewing family is not inherently prohibited but must not prejudice proceedings.

Question 26News

What is the primary purpose of the BBC Editorial Guidelines?

  1. To provide a style guide for grammar and punctuation
  2. To outline the BBC's commercial strategy
  3. To detail the technical specifications for broadcast equipment
  4. To set out the standards and principles that govern BBC content Correct answer.

Explanation

The BBC Editorial Guidelines are the framework that sets out the standards and principles all BBC content must meet, covering accuracy, impartiality, harm and offence, privacy, and other areas.

Question 27News

In BBC journalism, what does 'accuracy' primarily require?

  1. Publishing corrections only when legally required
  2. Including every possible viewpoint on a topic
  3. Avoiding any criticism of public figures
  4. Checking facts and presenting them in context Correct answer.

Explanation

Accuracy means that facts are checked and presented in a way that is not misleading, with appropriate context. It is a core editorial value.

Question 28News

What does 'due impartiality' mean in BBC news output?

  1. Giving equal time to every conceivable viewpoint
  2. Avoiding any topic that could be considered controversial
  3. Always presenting exactly two opposing views
  4. Reflecting a balance of views without endorsing any one side Correct answer.

Explanation

Due impartiality means that BBC output should not campaign or endorse a particular side, but should reflect a range of views and be fair. It does not require mathematical equality of time.

Question 29News

When a BBC journalist is unsure whether a story meets editorial standards, what is the appropriate first step?

  1. Ask the person who is the subject of the story
  2. Consult a senior editor or editorial policy adviser Correct answer.
  3. Publish and address concerns later
  4. Remove any controversial elements

Explanation

The guidelines encourage referring difficult or uncertain editorial decisions to senior editors or editorial policy advisers before publication. This ensures decisions are made with proper oversight.

Question 30News

What is the BBC's general approach to the use of anonymous sources?

  1. They must be identified to the audience in all cases
  2. They can be used when the information is important and the source cannot be named Correct answer.
  3. They are allowed only if the source is a public figure
  4. They are never permitted in BBC journalism

Explanation

Anonymous sources may be used when the material is significant and the source has a legitimate reason not to be named, but their use must be justified and approved by senior editors.

Question 31News

What does the 'right of reply' mean in BBC editorial practice?

  1. The BBC must publish all letters it receives
  2. The audience has the right to respond to any broadcast
  3. Any interviewee can demand a second interview
  4. A person or organisation criticised should be given a fair opportunity to respond Correct answer.

Explanation

The right of reply means that individuals or organisations facing significant criticism should be given a fair opportunity to respond, usually before broadcast, so their response can be included.

Question 32News

What is the BBC's policy on accepting gifts or hospitality from organisations that are the subject of news coverage?

  1. They should generally be declined to avoid any conflict of interest Correct answer.
  2. They may be accepted if disclosed to the audience
  3. They are acceptable if they are of low value
  4. They are allowed if approved by the organisation's PR department

Explanation

BBC journalists should not accept gifts or hospitality that could compromise, or appear to compromise, their editorial independence. Such offers should generally be declined.

Question 33News

When reporting on a court case in the UK, what is a key legal restriction for BBC journalists?

  1. They must not report the name of the judge
  2. They must avoid reporting any details of the evidence
  3. They must not publish material that could prejudice a fair trial Correct answer.
  4. They must obtain permission from the defendant before reporting

Explanation

UK law restricts reporting that could prejudice a fair trial, such as publishing details that a jury might not hear. Journalists must be aware of contempt of court rules.

Question 34News

What is the BBC's approach to reporting on the private life of a public figure?

  1. Private life is always relevant to their public role
  2. Private life should never be reported under any circumstances
  3. Intrusion into private life must be justified by a clear public interest Correct answer.
  4. Private life can be reported if other outlets have done so

Explanation

The BBC guidelines require that any intrusion into a person's private life must be warranted by a genuine public interest, not merely by curiosity or because others have reported it.

Question 35News

What does the BBC mean by 'public interest' in editorial decisions?

  1. Anything that interests the public
  2. The public's right to be informed about matters that affect them Correct answer.
  3. The views of the majority of the audience
  4. The commercial interests of the BBC

Explanation

Public interest refers to matters that genuinely affect the public's ability to make informed decisions, such as exposing wrongdoing or matters of public safety. It is not the same as what merely interests the public.

Question 36News

When using secret recording in a BBC investigation, what must editors consider first?

  1. Whether the story could be told without secret recording Correct answer.
  2. Whether the recording can be broadcast in full
  3. Whether the subject will object to the recording
  4. Whether the recording is of high technical quality

Explanation

Secret recording is a form of deception and must be justified by public interest. Editors should first consider whether the story can be told by other means.

Question 37News

What does the BBC require when a programme includes a reconstruction of real events?

  1. It must be broadcast after the watershed
  2. It must be clearly labelled as a reconstruction Correct answer.
  3. It must be approved by the police
  4. It must use the actual people involved

Explanation

Reconstructions must be clearly signposted so the audience is not misled into thinking they are actual footage. This is part of the BBC's commitment to accuracy and avoiding misrepresentation.

Question 38News

What is the BBC's guidance on the use of 'archive' material in a news report?

  1. Archive material must always be in black and white
  2. Archive material should be clearly labelled as such Correct answer.
  3. Archive material should never be used in news
  4. Archive material can be used without labelling if it is recent

Explanation

The BBC requires that archive material is clearly labelled to avoid misleading the audience into thinking it is current or from a different context.

Question 39News

What does the BBC mean by 'due accuracy' in news?

  1. Accuracy that is appropriate to the subject matter and the audience Correct answer.
  2. Accuracy that is guaranteed by the use of official sources
  3. Accuracy that is verified by the government
  4. Accuracy that is legally required

Explanation

Due accuracy means the level of accuracy required is proportionate to the nature of the content and the expectations of the audience. It is not a fixed standard but depends on context.

Question 40News

When a BBC journalist is offered information by a source who asks for payment, what should the journalist do?

  1. Pay if the information is important enough
  2. Pay only if the source provides a receipt
  3. Refuse all payments without exception
  4. Refer the decision to senior editors and consider the guidelines on payments Correct answer.

Explanation

Payments to sources are not prohibited outright but must be justified by public interest and approved by senior editors. The decision should not be taken lightly.

Question 41News

What is the BBC's approach to reporting on the activities of terrorist groups?

  1. They should never be mentioned
  2. They should be given equal time to present their views
  3. Only their victims should be interviewed
  4. Reporting should avoid providing a platform or propaganda opportunity Correct answer.

Explanation

The BBC aims to report accurately on terrorism without giving terrorists a platform to promote their views. Careful consideration is given to how such groups are represented.

Question 42News

What does the BBC require when a news report includes a 'user-generated content' video from a social media platform?

  1. It must be attributed to the platform
  2. It must be verified before broadcast Correct answer.
  3. It must be broadcast in its original form
  4. It must be approved by the platform

Explanation

The BBC requires that user-generated content is verified for authenticity before it is broadcast, to avoid spreading misinformation.

Question 43News

What is the BBC's guidance on the reporting of suicide?

  1. Only celebrity suicides should be reported
  2. Reporting should avoid excessive detail about method and location Correct answer.
  3. Details of the method should be included for accuracy
  4. Suicide should never be reported

Explanation

BBC guidance advises avoiding excessive detail about the method or location of a suicide to reduce the risk of imitation, while still allowing the story to be reported.

Question 44News

What does the BBC mean by 'context' in accurate reporting?

  1. Including the personal opinions of the reporter
  2. Ensuring the story is as short as possible
  3. Reporting only the most recent developments
  4. Providing background information that helps the audience understand the story Correct answer.

Explanation

Context means giving the audience the background and surrounding information needed to understand the significance and meaning of the facts reported.

Question 45News

When a BBC journalist is reporting on a company that is also a BBC commercial partner, what should the journalist do?

  1. Mention the relationship to the audience Correct answer.
  2. Avoid reporting on the company altogether
  3. Report the story without disclosing the relationship
  4. Ask the company to approve the script

Explanation

Any potential conflict of interest, such as a commercial relationship, should be disclosed to the audience so they can judge the report's independence.

Question 46News

What does the BBC require when a news report includes a 'phone-in' or audience comment?

  1. Comments must be broadcast live
  2. Comments must be from verified experts
  3. Comments must be scripted by the BBC
  4. Comments should be clearly distinguished from the BBC's own reporting Correct answer.

Explanation

Audience comments and phone-ins should be clearly identified as such, so they are not confused with the BBC's own journalism or presented as fact.

Question 47News

What is the BBC's approach to the use of 'lie detectors' or similar techniques in journalism?

  1. They are used regularly in investigations
  2. They can be used if the subject consents
  3. They are never used because they are unreliable Correct answer.
  4. They are only used with police approval

Explanation

The BBC does not use lie detectors or similar techniques because they are not reliably accurate and could mislead the audience.

Question 48News

In BBC editorial guidelines, what is the 'watershed'?

  1. The deadline for submitting a news script
  2. The point at which a story becomes legally safe to report
  3. The time before which no news can be broadcast
  4. The time after which more adult content may be broadcast Correct answer.

Explanation

The watershed is the time (usually 9pm) after which broadcasters may show content that is less suitable for children, provided it is appropriately scheduled.

Question 49News

What does the BBC mean by 'editorial independence'?

  1. The freedom to publish without any legal constraints
  2. The ability to choose which advertisers to work with
  3. The right to ignore audience complaints
  4. The right of editors to make content decisions without improper interference Correct answer.

Explanation

Editorial independence means that BBC content decisions are made by editorial staff free from improper influence by commercial, political, or other interests, within the law and the guidelines.

Question 50News

When a BBC journalist is embedded with the military, what is a key editorial concern?

  1. Ensuring the report is not subject to military censorship or control Correct answer.
  2. Ensuring the journalist wears a uniform
  3. Ensuring the military approves the final script
  4. Ensuring only positive aspects are reported

Explanation

Embedded reporting carries a risk of being seen as controlled by the military. The BBC must ensure that editorial control remains with the BBC and that reports are independent.