UK based Mr Chuni Chavda noticed that on several occasions like January 2021, 17th and 19th June 2021, the BBC carried a wrong map of India where the states of Jammu and Kashmir were not a part of the map.
He made BBC aware of the distorted map when it happened in January 2021, and in less than five months it happened again in June 2021.
Mr Chavda reached out to the Office of the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet to seek help and an apology from the BBC on this matter.
Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP wrote to Mr Chuni Chavda saying, “I completely agree that it is unacceptable for the BBC to leave Jammu and Kashmir out of maps of India. I can understand why you are very unhappy with what has happened. It is worrying to hear that this problem recurred in June.”
The MP contacted the BBC on his behalf to pass on his concerns (and hers’) and urged them to issue an apology. She felt that it was important that the BBC are held to account on this matter.
She received an email from the BBC’s Director-General regarding concern about the map of India used on 17th and 19th June.
The Director-General has provided the following response on behalf of the BBC News team: “On 17 June we broadcast an incorrect map of India on the BBC's Outside Source programme on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel. The same report was subsequently published on the BBC's website.
“This was an extremely serious error that should not have occurred, and the content was quickly removed and corrected.
“We have now conducted an urgent investigation into how this happened and found that a graphic designer sourced the incorrect map from a file which has now been deleted from all our systems. The additional sign-off procedures we have in place for maps after previous errors with regard to India also failed on this occasion.
“We have corrected the report on all output and reminded all relevant journalists about the mandatory accuracy checks that need to be undertaken before maps are broadcast or published.
“In addition, we are commissioning a new mapping tool for our newsroom which will further reduce the possibilities of human error.
“We are very sorry for the offence caused by the publication of this map.”
Mr Chavda is still dissatisfied with the apology issued. In a response to the MP office, he wrote, “As this offence occurred twice in a short period of five months, the BBC needs to broadcast its apology on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel during breakfast, lunchtime and 9.00 pm news on a date to be agreed by us. The apology also to be published on BBC’s website throughout the day."
