New Delhi: Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday questioned the journalistic independence of the BBC after the media home suspended a former footballer and star anchor for his remarks on social media and reportedly took a documentary off the air. Thakur took a swipe on the UK-based public broadcaster whereas sharing two information reviews on the BBC suspending former England captain and star sports activities anchor Gary Lineker after he criticised the UK authorities’s immigration coverage and taking off the air a documentary by David Attenborough “over fearing of right-wing backlash”.
“Interesting to see how the BBC which makes lofty claims about journalistic objectivity and independence suspends their star anchor over his social media activity,” the Union minister mentioned on Twitter.
Interesting to see how the BBC which makes lofty claims about journalistic objectivity & independence droop their star anchor over his social media exercise.
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— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) March 11, 2023
“In yet another interesting exhibit, BBC suspends airing of a documentary it shot over fears that it would anger a section of society,” he mentioned.Â
“Fake narrative setting and ethical journalism are inherently contradictory. Those indulging in malicious propaganda forged in concocted facts can obviously never be expected to have the moral fibre or the courage to stand up for journalistic independence,” Thakur mentioned.
Fake narrative setting & moral journalism are inherently contradictory.
Those indulging in malicious propaganda solid in concocted details can clearly by no means be anticipated to have the ethical fiber or the braveness to face up for journalistic independence.
3/3 pic.twitter.com/LnDKO5xK9P
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) March 11, 2023
The authorities had, in January, banned the BBC documentary ‘The Modi Question’ on the 2002 Gujarat riots and termed it as a propaganda piece. The BBC has stood by the documentary, calling it ‘rigorously researched in response to highest editorial requirements’.
Last month, the earnings tax Department carried out a survey on the BBC workplaces in Delhi and Mumbai to analyze a cost of “deliberate non-compliance with Indian laws including transfer pricing rules and diversion of profits illegally”.
The BJP had launched a scathing assault on the BBC, calling it the “most corrupt” and accusing it of unleashing “venomous” propaganda in opposition to India.Â
On Saturday, the BBC denied the report that it determined to not broadcast an episode narrated by world-famous conservationist Sir David Attenborough for a brand new wildlife collection over fears of a right-wing backlash.
‘This is completely inaccurate, there isn’t a ‘sixth episode’. ‘Wild Isles’ is and all the time was a five-part collection and doesn’t draw back from environmental content material,’ a BBC assertion mentioned.
The broadcaster can also be reeling beneath an issue over soccer legend Gary Lineker.
Several of the BBC’s common sports activities presenters have stepped again in solidarity with Lineker after he was suspended over a controversial tweet associated to the federal government’s immigration coverage.
