Thread by @mimmymum

Is the @BBC biased in its reporting on trans topics?

While it's difficult to analyse nuanced rhetoric in multiple articles, we can see who the BBC links *to* in their articles on trans topics.

Excluding internal links, The BBC overwhelmingly links to The Times & Telegraph...

Although small numbers, it can be seen that the BBC have dramatically increased the number of outbound links to other news media platforms in 2022, With 28 out of 50 links directed towards right-wing news platforms, The Times and Telegraph.

Data & graphs from @Dysphorum Project

In fact, the BBC have CONSISTENTLY linked to The Times more than any other publisher since 2016 in their articles on trans topics.

NB: The Times have been a prolific publisher on trans issues, with the vast majority of their articles being, objectively, trans-hostile.

Investigating non-news platforms the BBC links to in articles covering trans topics it becomes interesting...

The BBC has not linked to the Mermaids website in ANY article since 2018, and dramatically stopped linking to Stonewall in 2021. Yet they still link to anti-trans sites

@Dysphorum Project data shows that in 2018 the BBC linked to anti-trans lobby website 'Fair Play For Women' MORE than Stonewall - the largest LGBT Charity in Europe.

Even though the BBC has published 20 articles about or mentioning Mermaids since 2018, it has not linked to the charity's website ONCE!

Graph shows number of mentions of 'Mermaids' in BBC articles on trans topics

Data and graph from @Dysphorum Project database.

Similarly, despite the BBC mentioning Stonewall in 35 articles so far in 2022 (these are only the articles related to trans topics, the total could be more) they have not linked ONCE to the Stonewall website!

Graph shows mentions of 'Stonewall' in BBC articles on trans topics

Somewhat ironically, *this* article was the last time the BBC out-linked to Stonewall's website before they abruptly stopped linking. This is despite Stonewall being the largest LGBT charity in Europe. bbc.co.uk/news/entertain…

It's worth noting that the BBC aren't just linking to anti-trans hate platforms to reference their transphobia - They're signposting to the likes of 'Transgender Trend' as a 'reputable' source of information - as seen in this hyperlink embedded in the article in the next tweet...

Why is anti-trans lobby platform 'Transgender Trend' being linked to by @bbchealth in a (supposedly) reputable article giving information about puberty blockers?
bbc.co.uk/news/health-51…

In contrast, the BBC published an article on LGBT suicide citing "Mermaids, which helps young trans people, has had to alert police following concerns about callers wanting to kill themselves" Yet, didn't link to their website for those seeking help! bbc.co.uk/news/health-53…

Similarly, despite the BBC reporting "Mermaids has seen a 600% increase in demand for its helpline services" in an article about Mermaids awareness-raising campaign, they refuse to link to the very website that can help trans youth! bbc.co.uk/news/business-…

And in one of the most trans-hostile articles the BBC has published to date - prompting numerous complaints - there is still links to the transphobic 'gender critical' website 'Get The L Out' linking to a statistically invalid survey pushing transphobia.
theguardian.com/society/2021/n…

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