BBC does not have an agenda, says chief to staff in India after I-T survey

The BBC is not driven by an "agenda" but by purpose and will not be put off reporting impartially and without fear or favour, the UK-headquartered media organisation's chief has said days after the income tax department survey operation at its New Delhi and Mumbai offices.

In an email to BBC staff in India reported on Thursday by the broadcaster, Director General Tim Davie thanked them for their courage as he stressed that nothing was more important than reporting impartially. He added that the BBC would help staff in India do their jobs effectively and safely.

"Nothing is more important than our ability to report without fear or favour, Davie said in the email, reported by the BBC.

"Our duty to our audiences around the world is to pursue the facts through independent and impartial journalism, and to produce and distribute the very best creative content. We won't be put off from that task. I'd like to be clear: the BBC does not have an agenda we are driven by purpose. And our first