THE BBC has been accused of “following Nigel Farage around like a lost puppy” by the LibDems.
The party has written to Ofcom to complain about "wall-to-wall" coverage of the Reform UK leader as part of a campaign it calls "Balance the BBC".
The letter cites the broadcaster’s "substantive efforts" to carry Reform voices on most prominent news programmes.
The party has opened a petition demanding that the BBC be forced to commit to proportional coverage of political parties year-round and not just during election periods.
Max Wilkinson, the party's culture and media spokesperson, has written to Ofcom director Melanie Dawes to highlight the BBC "compounding the rise of a dangerous populism that threatens the fabric of our country".
"The BBC is following Farage around like a lost puppy and the resulting wall-to-wall coverage is giving legitimacy to a man who wants to do to Britain what Trump is doing to America," Wilkinson said.
“The only way to counter Farage’s hateful and divisive politics is with fair and representative journalism that makes space for more decent voices – and for that we need a balanced BBC.”
The letter says: "By paying such disproportionate attention to Nigel Farage's latest outfit, Reform UK, the BBC is compromising its reputation.
"To many licence fee payers, the broadcaster gives the impression that hangs on every word uttered by Nigel Farage despite his party's scant representation in Parliament."
Wilkinson said the coverage of his party has been "disproportionately low" despite it representing 18 times as many constituencies as Reform, and this discrepancy does "real damage" to the BBC's reputation.
The BBC must balance their political news so it doesn’t boost Nigel Farage’s dangerous, divisive politics. pic.twitter.com/Kyej8CX9GX
— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) September 8, 2025
Ofcom guidance says eligible broadcasters must "not give undue prominence to the views and opinions of particular persons or bodies on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy in all the programmes included in any service taken as a whole".
Section six of the Ofcom guidance applies during election and referendum periods and reads: "Due weight must be given to the coverage of parties and independent candidates during the election period.
"In determining the appropriate level of coverage to be given to parties and independent candidates broadcasters must take into account evidence of past electoral support and/or current support. Broadcasters must also consider giving appropriate coverage to parties and independent candidates with significant views and perspectives.”
The LibDems are proposing to apply section six throughout the year so that political parties are accorded "due weight" in non-electoral cycles as well as election campaigns.
This change would aim to limit the disproportionate coverage of Reform UK currently apportioned by the BBC, the party says.
The BBC and Ofcom have been approached for comment by The National.
