Calls for BBC to change social media coverage

The Parliamentary Rugby League group has written to the chairman of the BBC Trust on the corporation’s creation of a social media account that uses the generic term rugby but covers and promotes solely rugby union.

The @bbcrugby account has recently been covering the Six Nations extensively, and there is no alternative rugby league channel provided by the BBC, despite them holding television rights for both the Challenge Cup and Super League highlights and the regular local radio coverage that they provide.

They have recently changed the name of the account to BBC Rugby Union, though the Twitter handle remains the same.

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West and chairman of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group, said: “We know the BBC is committed to rugby league and there are people within it who understand its importance to millions of fans, but the creation of an twitter account with the name @BBCRugby that focuses only on one code of rugby is disappointing, and something we in the Group hope it puts right.

The Group has made clear it would like to see both games covered fairly by the BBC on twitter, with a rugby league account created and both rugby accounts clearly labelled: @BBCRugbyLeague and @BBCRugbyUnion.

The Group has also requested the BBC looks at the scheduling of the Super League Show and coverage in Wales.

BBC Trust Chairman Rona Fairchild has been invited to Westminster to discuss the BBC’s coverage and support for rugby league when the new Parliament is formed.