Return to: Home | Blogs | Public Accounts

Should the BBC's Mark Thompson resign?

Former minister gives his view

Much has been said -- including by me -- about the controversial decision to host Nick Griffin on BBC1's Question Time and the subsequent BBC spin surrounding it. Less discussed has been the position of Mark Thompson, who critics say has failed to make the right call on a single major episode in his time as the corporation's director general. It was he, after all, and other BBC bosses, who refused to air the Gaza appeal in January this year -- a position that, set alongside the Griffin appearance, appears even more misguided and bizarre today than it did at the time.

Now, the Labour MP Denis MacShane has given his view on Thompson. He tells me:

Mark Thompson confused censorship and editorial morality. Griffin is not censored by the BBC: he is more often on current affairs than most Labour MPs. Thompson gave in to the stunt culture of the BBC and provided a platform for anti-Semitism and fascism which shames the BBC. If we see a rise in racist and anti-Semitic attacks Thompson should resign.

What do you think?

Post this article to

  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • newsvine
  • Reddit

6 comments from readers

Dick the Prick
27 October 2009 at 17:01

How long d'ya reckon it's gonna be before you get sacked? Smart money's on before the end of November.

James
27 October 2009 at 17:35

Thank you, "Dick the Prick", for your thoughtful contribution. Do expand.

Alexandra
27 October 2009 at 22:13

Mark Thompson made the 'right call'. Censorship and proscriptive measures are incompatible in a democractic society. Only through engagement with issues, challenge, scrutiny and debate can we seek to undermine this extremist, abhorrent party. Preventing fringe parties (many of which secured a proportion of votes at the Euro elections) appearing on current affairs would be a counter-productive measure, which would drive them underground. Mark Thompson's commitment to the BBC Charter on impartiality should be applauded.

William
28 October 2009 at 00:32

The BBC is still an indepedent organisation and does not follow the hue and cry of the mainly Murdoch press and broadcasters of that ilk. Especially with the EU free trade boundary ready to pounce with their own Oligarchs waiting in line.

It is not easy being unpopular but that is what is required for an independent Broadcaster that holds the standard that the Minnions follow.

Nick
28 October 2009 at 04:31

He made the right judgement, I am against political censorship. The BNP are a legimimate party and they have a right to campaign and appear in the media. If you don't like them, you have a right oppose them but not silence them.

My disappointment with the show was that it focused too much on bashing the BNP and it's leader, than it did on on having a proper debate. It should have been moderated much better.

By the way, the decision not air the Gaza appeal earlier this year was pretty disgusting, I was equally disappointed with biased, pro Israeli reporting of the conflict.

Chris
28 October 2009 at 08:47

Nick in the comment above is right in everything he says, I think.

Post your comment

(Your email address will not be published)

Recent Posts

In praise of the Tories

20 November 2009 15:42

Green heroes and villains

19 November 2009 12:13

Blair to win EU presidency

19 November 2009 11:50

Chamber of secrets...

18 November 2009 17:26

BBC in awe of Sun

17 November 2009 15:15

Palin goes on Oprah to hint at bid for presidency

17 November 2009 10:49

Rowan Williams slams Blairite economics

16 November 2009 13:19

Past Entries

Follow this blog

Vote!

Will Baroness Ashton be an effective EU foreign minister?

Suggest a question

View comments

© New Statesman 1913 – 2009

Tracker