Date: 07/10/2019
BBC ON THE APPEASING SLOPE
BBC was known as the fearless champion of freedom of expression. But their decision to prevent Lord Singh giving an account of the martyrdom of a Sikh guru, we presume Guru Tegh Bahadur, due to their FEAR that it might offend the Muslims, is baffling and a step back in free expression in a democracy.
Please see, below, the news published in The Daily Telegraph, London, on October 5, 2019.
It does seem that as the number of Muslims SWELLS in the United Kingdom, so does their political clout and their ability to influence, even scare, not only BBC but also some leading universities in the country for fear of Muslim backlash or objections. At Oxford University speakers sympathetic to the State of Israel have been prevented to even appear on stage.
If BBC is keen not to offend the Muslims, then what about the feelings of the Germans and the Japanese when BBC broadcasts the VE Day and the VJ Day celebrations to remind the world in general, and the Germans and the Japanese in particular, of the crushing defeat inflicted on both, especially the nuclear bombs dropped over Nagasaki and Hiroshima? Should BBC not care EQUALY for the feelings of the Germans and the Japanese, too?
We hope BBC will re-think and request Lord Singh to continue with his broadcast that conveys essential & factual knowledge about a significant historic event in India.
cccccccccc
7 October 2019
--------------------------
Sikh peer on Radio 4 quits over censorship
By Jessica Carpani
A BBC presenter on Today has expressed his regret over a Sikh peer's decision to quit Thought for the Day after a censorship row.
Lord Singh announced he was leaving after 35 years in protest at the BBC trying to prevent him broadcasting an item commemorating an executed Sikh guru because it “might offend Muslims”.
The script, which was broadcast last November, did not criticise Islam and did not receive any complaints for discussing the Sikh guru, who had spoken out about Hindus being forced to convert to Islam under the 17th century Mughal emperors of India.
Speaking on the Radio 4 programme yesterday morning, Justin Webb, the presenter, called Indarjit Singh’s departure “rather sad”.
Indarjit Singh has accused the BBC of “prejudice and intolerance”. “It was like saying to a Christian that he or she should not talk about Easter for fear of giving offence to the Jews,” he told The Times.
Lord Sing made an official complaint about the incident, saying it was not the first time he had been prevented from discussing subjects important to Sikhs.
James Purnell, the corporation’s director of radio, ordered a review, which rejected the complaint.
Lord Singh said: “The need for sensitivity in talking about religions, political or social issues has now been taken to absurd proportions, with telephone insistence on trivial textual changes right up to going into the studio, making it difficult to say anything worthwhile.”
A BBC spokeswoman said: “We disagree with Lord Singh and don’t recognise his characterisation of Thought for the Day.”
====================
000000000