Former Member
BBC News interview gets 95 complaints
Wednesday, January 5 2011, 16:40 GMT
By Andrew Laughlin, Technology Reporter
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ofcom has received 95 complaints about a BBC News interview with an anti-gay extremist as part of the broadcaster's coverage of the birth of Sir Elton John's son.
On December 28, the BBC's News At Six bulletin featured an interview with Stephen Green, of right-wing group Christian Voice, who is understood to have previously supported the proposed death penalty for gay men in Uganda.
In the interview, which was later repeated on the BBC News channel, Green claimed that Sir Elton's first child with his partner David Furnish was a "designer accessory", and said that depriving the child of its natural mother was "an act of pure selfishness".
The BBC defended the decision to give a platform to Green's views, arguing that his contribution was to reflect the wider debate on surrogacy for gay couples.
According to Pink News, the interview also resulted in complaints being made directly to the BBC, but the corporation would not disclose the exact figure.
In an email sent to the people who complained, the BBC said: "We appreciate some viewers were unhappy that a report on Sir Elton John recently becoming a surrogate father included the views of Mr Stephen Green.
"We recognise this issue can arouse a diverse range of contrasting opinions. This brief report featured Sir Elton John's thoughts and an opposing view on the matter at hand.
"It must be stressed that over time we have heard from all sides of this debate, dealing the subject in a fair and impartial manner. We acknowledge the strength of sentiment on this matter, thanks again for taking the time to contact us."
On December 28, the BBC's News At Six bulletin featured an interview with Stephen Green, of right-wing group Christian Voice, who is understood to have previously supported the proposed death penalty for gay men in Uganda.
In the interview, which was later repeated on the BBC News channel, Green claimed that Sir Elton's first child with his partner David Furnish was a "designer accessory", and said that depriving the child of its natural mother was "an act of pure selfishness".
The BBC defended the decision to give a platform to Green's views, arguing that his contribution was to reflect the wider debate on surrogacy for gay couples.
According to Pink News, the interview also resulted in complaints being made directly to the BBC, but the corporation would not disclose the exact figure.
In an email sent to the people who complained, the BBC said: "We appreciate some viewers were unhappy that a report on Sir Elton John recently becoming a surrogate father included the views of Mr Stephen Green.
"We recognise this issue can arouse a diverse range of contrasting opinions. This brief report featured Sir Elton John's thoughts and an opposing view on the matter at hand.
"It must be stressed that over time we have heard from all sides of this debate, dealing the subject in a fair and impartial manner. We acknowledge the strength of sentiment on this matter, thanks again for taking the time to contact us."
What Cologne said,
