The BBC’s FOI exemption is deeply troubling, shielding serious scandals from scrutiny. This was the first response I received from the BBC when I tried to hold them accountable for their misinformation and disinformation.
I raised concerns about this exception with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and they said the BBC exemption stands; see their response below.
The BBC has inflicted notable harm by consistently promoting incorrect and misleading narratives about Bitcoin. This perpetuates negative public perceptions and overshadows its potential as a transformative technology.
By framing Bitcoin in a way that often lacks clarity or relies on outdated stereotypes, such as associating it primarily with criminal activity or environmental concerns, the BBC has skewed public understanding and stifled informed discourse.
The BBC’s influence as a trusted news outlet amplifies the damage: its narratives have historically shaped opinions that deter adoption, investment, and innovation in a technology that could revolutionise financial inclusion, decentralised systems, and economic sovereignty.
This is particularly harmful given Bitcoin’s surged value, reaching a record high of around $109,000, and when global leaders are increasingly recognising its strategic importance, such as the US establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
By obscuring Bitcoin's potential to empower individuals and challenge traditional financial systems, the BBC has delayed societal benefits and reinforced a status quo favouring established institutions over technological progress and freedom.
People deserve transparency. The exemption should be scrapped, but then again, so should the BBC.
