The British National Party will reportedly be given an interview slot on BBC Radio 4's long-running Today programme following the corporation's televised election debate.
BBC director general Mark Thompson is keen for the corporation to maintain a true sense of political balance during the forthcoming general election campaign. In-line with the agreed format with ITV and Sky, the BBC will run a 90-minute debate programme on April 29 featuring the three main prime ministerial candidates.
To negate any suggestions of bias, the BBC's chief political advisor Ric Bailey believes that the BNP should be permitted to appear on the Today programme after the debate is aired.
"I think there will probably be an interview with the BNP on the Today programme the following morning," he told The Independent.
The right-wing party is also expected to receive a 20-second segment on BBC One's Ten O'clock News for an immediate response to the leader's discussion, which is being held in the Midlands with contributions from Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. However, Bailey said that the BNP would receive less airtime on the BBC than it did after winning seats at the European elections last year, which included a controversial appearance by party leader Nick Griffin on Question Time.
Griffin also appeared on the Today programme, which regularly attracts over six million listeners, after being elected to the European parliament.
"Question Time was being done in the context of the follow up to the European elections when the BNP had got 6% of the vote and for the first time had got representation at a national level," said Bailey. "If you look at the BNP in the context of a general election, the BNP got less than 1% of the vote at the 2005 election. If you can look at how much coverage different parties should get, clearly we don't ignore the European result but it was a different system, a different turnout, and it only gets so much weight."
However, Griffin's appearance on Question Time attracted major protests and it's likely that a further appearance on Radio 4 could prove likewise.
Bailey also pledged that the UK Independence Party (UKIP) will be given "meaty" coverage on the BBC ahead of the election due to its strong level of support.
"UKIP clearly is a party which got a lot of support in the European election, much more than the BNP. It's also clearly established itself as the fourth party in the general election last time, ahead of the Greens, and the Greens are ahead of the BNP," he said. "The BNP is quite a small party, so the level of coverage it will get in the context of the prime ministerial debate will be quite short. It will get some coverage but it won't be enormous. I would expect to see on the Ten O'clock News immediately following the debate you will see an interview with UKIP, they will get something quite meaty."
Digital Spy
"BBC director general Mark Thompson is keen for the corporation to maintain a true sense of political balance..."
ReplyDeleteCome on Tommo, even you must get embarrassed trotting out that old chestnut time after time.
Wonder if he'll be trying to get Rod Liddle his old job back?
ReplyDeleteHave just taken the scissors to my TV Licence.
ReplyDeletetulip
The perfect job for Jefferson,being interviewed on radio 4.
ReplyDeleteIf any one ever had a face for radio,it has to be him
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/129389/New-mosque-demo-turns-to-anarchy-/
ReplyDeleteREPORT ON THE EDL'S VIOLENCE
The BNP may be scum but they're scum with elected representatives and far more public support than they should have. Today tends to be listened to by people who've made up their minds so I doubt if the BNP will get many votes from being on it. Griffin's invitation to appear on QT was condemned but his performance was so woeful it has damaged his party. Anti-fascists will have to get used to the fact that due to its popularity the BNP will get more publicity than we'd like. The BNP will have to get used to the fact that not all publicity is good publicity.
ReplyDeleteFor the gullible morons on various right-wing Forums who think Collett has been set up over this latest debacle to hit the BNP. Collett has not been set up. He is quite simply a liability, he's an embarassment to the BNP (and the country) and he's absolutely useless at doing what he was tasked to do. The party has at last found a reason to get rid of this worthless piece of crap once and for all.
ReplyDeleteThe real reason Collett is, as he claims, maintaining his silence (as if he's got something on Griffin) and still professing his loyalty to the party is that he is now completely shafted. Let me tell you this. He will never get a job in either the printing or graphic arts industries. His reputation alone will see to that. But assuming there was at least one emploeyer out there who didn't judge people on their political past, Collett still would not be employable becase he is the worst designer I have ever seen. He would not make the grade anywhere, and he knows this. Knocking up cheap political flyers is the easiest 'design' job in the world, yet he still made a mess of that.
He is totally unemployable - for every conceivable reason - and he is now well and truly fucked. So he is clinging to the faint glimmer of hope that perhaps Griffin will pity him and take him back. I seriously doubt that will happen.
So it's goodbye BMW, nice Leeds apartment and eating out. And it's hello walking, hello old room at mum and dads and "your tea is ready, Mark".
It couldn't have happended to a more deserving and disgusting piece of filth.
HA bloody HA!
Tulip can I have your redundant LCD please ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhenever I've spoken to a BBC employee about their BNP coverage I've been surprised at how defensive they get and how strongly they claim allowing the BNP airtime shows them up.
ReplyDeleteA delusional BNP poster on SFB reckons they'll get "the best part of two million votes" in the general election!
ReplyDeleteBNP Thugs steal election rivals leaflets:
ReplyDeletehttp://davestrickson.blogspot.com/2010/04/thurrock-ukips-chuckle-brothers-in-bnp.html
The BB dont see do they.
ReplyDelete"A delusional BNP poster on SFB reckons they'll get "the best part of two million votes" in the general election!"
ReplyDelete2 million? I'd be very surprised at that. Fascists, from the BUF through to today's BNP, have always overestimated their actual support - they overhear pub talk about "bloody immigrants" and translate that in definite votes and hardened support. It's a bit more complex than that. Remember that all minor parties get squeezed in General Elections so I predicate that they'll be fortunate to maintain the national vote they got in the Euros last year (just under a million). That's still a large vote though for a shambles like the BNP and I think they could come near to getting an MP in Stoke.
Rather depends on the level of questioning
ReplyDeleteIf you can look at how much coverage different parties should get, clearly we don't ignore the European result but it was a different system, a different turnout, and it only gets so much weight." Vs....
ReplyDelete"UKIP clearly is a party which got a lot of support in the European election, much more than the BNP.
Why are the Beeb intent on bigging up UKIP who are equally racist?