Baroness Warsi and the Labour MP Oldham East Debbie Abrahams have written to the BBC’s director-general Tony Hall to ask him to consider introducing a new code of conduct for panellists and the audience on Question Time. The letter has asked the BBC to clarify if any efforts are made to “deliberately invite or attract” members of far-right groups to the audience of its flagship political programme.
Ms Warsi and Abrahams are the co-chairs of the new all-party group ‘Compassion in Politics’ and they argue that the BBC has a duty to avoid inflaming hate. Their letter asks how the Question Time audience is sourced and seeks a response to their assertion that far-right supporters are invited to appear on the show. The letter says, “we understand the producers of the show seek out ‘controversial members of the audience – including those of far-right campaign groups – in an attempt to curry large ratings”.
BBC sources have rejected the claim they sought “audiences from any extremist groups to curry ratings”. A BBC spokesperson has said “we take the issues raised in this letter very seriously and regularly discuss the tone and content of the programme, and constantly review how we engage with people on social media. Question Time is an important part of the schedule, as one of the few programmes which allows audiences to hold to account those in power”.
This letter comes against the backdrop of the hate campaign waged against the actor Laurence Fox following his appearance on the show. The Guardian are reporting that “all news brands are seeing a big upward curve, with more than a third of people saying they are reaching for print and online newspaper coverage more often”. However, some news organisations have been accused of politicising the coverage of the Coronavirus as well as causing mass panic across the nation.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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