We the undersigned are deeply concerned with the way Jeremy Paxman interviewed Tommy Robinson of the English Defence League (EDL) on Newsnight, 25th July 2011. We are deeply worried that a fascist such as Robinson can appear on a flagship programme in the first place.
The interview was meant to challenge Robinson on the EDL's links with the Norwegian right wing terrorist Anders Breivik. Instead Jeremy Paxman allowed Robinson to go unchallenged when he spoke of the EDL being non-violent, even though Robinson was convicted that very day for football hooliganism. The EDL have attacked mosques, beaten up Asians and tried to assault trade unionists at a Peterborough TUC/UAF anti-EDL rally. Paxman even agreed with Robinson about the fear of Islam, responding with "no-one denies there's a lot of anxiety...tremendous anxiety".
The BBC's ethos is one of entertaining, educating and informing. Paxman failed on all of these. Robinson was allowed to rant about Islam and stir up Islamophobia. We expect interviewers to probe and uncover the truth behind the likes of Tommy Robinson's rhetoric. Jeremy Paxman failed to address substantive issues concerning the EDL's ugly reality, in so doing he failed the viewing public.
The BBC is a broadcaster which is funded by people from all of Britain's diverse cultures, faiths and ethnic backgrounds. As such we don't feel it is appropriate for the BBC to give a platform to fascists like the EDL as it allows them to perpetuate their biogtry and lies.
We therefore demand that the BBC looks into this matter and responds to our concerns.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
August 2, 2011
July 30, 2011
The grind to get these signatures is draining but we are near the next milestone. If we hit five hundred followers before the week turns it will be much harder for them to ignore us.
Reached 100 supporters
July 27, 2011
6 Comments
How is a convicted hooligan getting a platform on national tv? total joke.
Absolutely shameful. The bbc used to be better at holding people to account instead of just letting them push their agenda.
DISGUSTING that he was allowed to just spout that rubbish without getting called out on it. Paxman dropped the ball big time.
My family pays the license fee and we expect to be protected from this kind of hate speech not subjected to it on prime time news.
The BBC should be better than this. Giving airtime to these people is just dangerous honestly.
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We the undersigned are deeply concerned with the way Jeremy Paxman interviewed Tommy Robinson of the English Defence League (EDL) on Newsnight, 25th July 2011. We are deeply worried that a fascist such as Robinson can appear on a flagship programme in the first place.
The interview was meant to challenge Robinson on the EDL's links with the Norwegian right wing terrorist Anders Breivik. Instead Jeremy Paxman allowed Robinson to go unchallenged when he spoke of the EDL being non-violent, even though Robinson was convicted that very day for football hooliganism. The EDL have attacked mosques, beaten up Asians and tried to assault trade unionists at a Peterborough TUC/UAF anti-EDL rally. Paxman even agreed with Robinson about the fear of Islam, responding with "no-one denies there's a lot of anxiety...tremendous anxiety".
The BBC's ethos is one of entertaining, educating and informing. Paxman failed on all of these. Robinson was allowed to rant about Islam and stir up Islamophobia. We expect interviewers to probe and uncover the truth behind the likes of Tommy Robinson's rhetoric. Jeremy Paxman failed to address substantive issues concerning the EDL's ugly reality, in so doing he failed the viewing public.
The BBC is a broadcaster which is funded by people from all of Britain's diverse cultures, faiths and ethnic backgrounds. As such we don't feel it is appropriate for the BBC to give a platform to fascists like the EDL as it allows them to perpetuate their biogtry and lies.
We therefore demand that the BBC looks into this matter and responds to our concerns.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
August 2, 2011
July 30, 2011
The grind to get these signatures is draining but we are near the next milestone. If we hit five hundred followers before the week turns it will be much harder for them to ignore us.
Reached 100 supporters
July 27, 2011
6 Comments
Really disappointed in paxman here. he let him walk all over him and didnt even mention the facts. do your research next time.
How is a convicted hooligan getting a platform on national tv? total joke.
Absolutely shameful. The bbc used to be better at holding people to account instead of just letting them push their agenda.
DISGUSTING that he was allowed to just spout that rubbish without getting called out on it. Paxman dropped the ball big time.
My family pays the license fee and we expect to be protected from this kind of hate speech not subjected to it on prime time news.
The BBC should be better than this. Giving airtime to these people is just dangerous honestly.
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Really disappointed in paxman here. he let him walk all over him and didnt even mention the facts. do your research next time.