§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if it was with his authority that his spokesman contacted the BBC to express disquiet about the BBC's handling of the Iraq conflict; and if he will make a statement. [65381]
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§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 13 January 1999]: Yes. The Government were concerned to ensure that the British public were provided with factual and balanced reporting of Operation Desert Fox. Journalists reporting from Baghdad were, and are, subject to considerable restrictions on access and information. It was particularly important, therefore, that live coverage of and commentary on Operation Desert Fox from Iraq should explain, and take account of, such restrictions. This was made clear to media representatives, including in the BBC, on a number of occasions.