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Why BBC got it wrong
• UNDER the banner of “impartiality”, the BBC has claimed its decision to put the BNP on Question Time was unavoidable. But there is no precise electoral threshold in the BBC Charter above which it is obliged to allow parties on Question Time.
The decision was “obviously an editorial judgement”, according to the BBC director general himself
I believe that the BBC should have judged the effects of having the BNP on Question Time to be a greater evil than limiting its access to mainstream media.
Some people who support the BBC’s decision have suggested it was good to let the BNP on Question Time since it would have its ideas “taken apart” and would be “exposed” in public debate.
This works fine with some parties – I would not object to a party with anti-immigration views being allowed on TV, despite questioning its views.
But the BNP is different; we cannot take apart fascism like we might take apart the Tories’ economic policies.
I am sure the great majority of the people watching Question Time were backing the panel and audience as they “took apart” Nick Griffin. But I do not think the BNP’s presence on Question Time was a victory for anti-fascists.
There was faint but defiant applause from some audience members in support of some of Mr Griffin’s points.
Along with a small section of those watching Question Time or follow-up reports, they may just have been recruited by a deeply deceptive man, who hides his true intent by playing an underdog who dares speak the truth.
The BBC’s decision may have opened a Pandora’s Box, which will have consequences which cannot be abrogated.
The day after his Question Time appearance, Mr Griffin was demanding a one-hour, one-to-one with Jack Straw. They apparently signed up thousands of new members.
Our opposition to the BNP must continue. But I believe that, though it will now be harder, our defence of the principle of no platform must continue too.
Cllr James Murray
Labour, Barnsbury
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