UPDATED: BBC argues investigation was “justified, fair and impartial” in response to DJI drone letter

Investigation In Jimmy Savile Allegations Continues

The BBC has responded to the open letter sent by DJI which criticised the broadcaster on its representation of drones.

DJI felt it necessary to send the letter after a BBC Two Horizon documentary aired on Monday prompted an outcry from the industry.

Many on social media felt the documentary, like a Panorama investigation earlier in the year, was ‘unbiased’ and over-critical of drones.

Story continues below

The DJI letter was of a similar sentiment and outlined how despite contributing to the documentary, the BBC had not used much of the contect provided which showed the benefits of the technology.

In a statement issued to Commercial Drone Professional, the BBC responded to the DJI criticism of the documentary by stating it felt the investigation was “justified, fair and impartial.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “In the wake of the crisis at Gatwick Airport last year – and the strong public interest in this – we believe our Horizon investigation into the technology behind drones and whether the related UK safety measures are adequate was justified, fair and impartial.

“From the outset, and repeatedly during the film the positive uses of drones and the efforts the industry has taken to make them safe was referred to. The film does not claim that drone technology is unsafe, but rather that in can be used maliciously when in the wrong hands. Indeed, as drone users ourselves the BBC is well aware of the positive benefits of them when used appropriately.”

The broadcaster then added: “The Panorama programme raised important questions about why Gatwick airport was closed down for so long after the alleged sightings of a drone or drones, disrupting thousands of passengers, and why almost six months after the event the police had still not identified a suspect.  The film did not claim drones were unsafe, but did suggest that they can be disruptive or a risk if used maliciously.”

You can read DJI’s letter in full here.

Tags : BBCDJIIntegration
Alex Douglas

The author Alex Douglas


  1. Well the BBC would say that wouldn’t they ? This is the trouble when corporations like them have the power to broadcast what they want with impunity or fear of being reigned in. If that programme is their idea of justified, fair and impartial, then god help us all, we are living in a media state where they make up the rules to suit themselves.
    What a shocking but unsurprising announcement. They have absolutely no idea about what this industry entails, and that clearly shows in that totally one sided piece of garbage reporting. Shame on you BBC.

    1. Shame on you for submitting this rant without proofreading it first. Unless it’s a satire on lazy journalism – both the BBC and CDP have a case to answer there.

  2. Time and time again the BBC have been biased, unfair and not getting their facts straight. Sadly their journalists and “fact finders” are jobs worths looking to gain stature within the BBC. Truth and honest reporting does not benefit them in the hierachy and they would become “also rans”. Oh! of course lets not forget the licence fee which we all HAVE TO PAY regardless of the program quality. Hmmm ! strange that I very rarely watch the BBC. The BBC is an archiac old guard institution reminiscent of the “Charge of the Light Brigade” where stupidity and pomp were the watch words of society.

    1. You make some valid points, you also promulgate at least one lie. Overall, I would take this comment more seriously if it had fewer misspellings.

  3. What a silly way too look at it… why not just hold your hands up for once and really take responsibility. The programme was clearly biased, in accurate and staged in certain parts. The programme contained well over 90 percent negative light on the use of drones. Not 1 minute was dedicated to how drones help… SAR, medical supply delivery, organ transplant delivery, assistance to the emergency services. The lists are endless. Although I agree a drone can pose a threat in the wrong hands. So can a pencil… we are not banning all those now are we. Terrorism was mentioned. Terrorists have used, very recently, vehicles, to run people down on the street, stabbing policemen… but are we banning cars? The gatwick incident was referred to several times as a drone attack. There was never any proof, from the thousands of passengers, police, army, press. Not one photo was captured. As far as I’m concerned it was a UFO(that doesn’t mean aliens). Watching mr Kane, shoot down a drone, with a rifle on my opinion is only urging people to try the same. No one mention it’s illegal to shoot down any aerial unit. I feel DJI have it pretty much spot on with there letter. I’m not getting started on the fiasco that was the impact test, words fail me, that was a complete un scientific experiment as the real world conditions were not met, but the presenter and DR conducting the test made out this is what would happen, they even mention it would take a plane out of the sky when, that test would prove nothing . I ask that you reconsider your thoughts on what was aired. We will not be persecuted in this way and reserve the right to take legal action if the tests and programme falls below the bbc mission statement. An investigation must and will follow this programme, we the drone community are standing up, together to fight for our rights to fly safely and responsibly without fear or persecution.

  4. keep things to facts and people would not have a problem with you

    it was never proven to be a drone used at gatwick this is a fact

    in your video at 6 minutes in you state take off speed and land it about 250 knots
    take of speed for plains are
    Boeing 737 130knots
    Boeing 757 139knots
    Airbus A320 148knots
    Airbus A340 156knots
    Concorde 196knots

    it take that 250 knots what the fastest that cannon could fire so why not set it to 150 and if you wanted it to look good why did not not keep the lipo so to get a little fire, replacing things as much as you did really just proves how much you have to change to brake a wing and a wing that is no longer used and newer wings being much more stronger and safer,

    why not scale up things to or even spin the wing at a speed so meed the 150 knots and thaw a drone in to it, see what it does an report back, use modern wing of the plains we fly now

    i bet you it will not look at bad as your test, it would be interesting to see what the lipo does, its going to blow up and set on fire, joking about the blowing up part they do set on fire and give off a lot of heat though, but would be interesting to know if the lipo could set anything on fire in the wing, this to me is the real risk, fire

  5. BBC must remain unbiased. After considering a drone for filming video from another perspective I have done a lot of investigation. To put that in its correct perspective I am a Professional Mechancel Engineering and we have a commercial pilot flying heavy jets in the family who has provided input.

    The Industry has done an excellent job of minimising risk. But they cannot control completely what some seek to do.

    Overall, DJI have been extremely neutral in thier comments to BBC about the very misleading documentary.

    Sure a heavy drone-aircraft impacthe would be very sad due to an unnecessary loss of life. But the reality is, so would aircraft-aircraft.

    Cars who kill many have much less stigma. BBC what about.

    Now back to subject. Bring in licensing for ALL drome-aircraft buyers and alreadyou drones can be individually identified so there in is a real world solution.

    Why did the journalists, so clever as they might be not think of it?

    Pity that this type of thing has come to twist the minds of those without the ability to fully informed themselves.

    An unbiased documentary properly research would serve all parties fairly. The public at large are capable and can form their own options.

    1. Quote – “Now back to subject. Bring in licensing for ALL drome-aircraft buyers and alreadyou drones can be individually identified so there in is a real world solution.”

      What a load of rubbish!!
      Anyone who wants to get up to no good with a drone is never going to register one. You can easily buy all the parts you need to build one from eBay and can have it up and running within a couple of hours. Having built my last 3 quads and a tri-copter that way I know how easy it is.

      There has been scientific test carried out with drones being fired on a rocket sled at aircraft windshields, the outer panes were cracked but even at high speed, the internal panes were completely undamaged.

Leave a Response