Some good news for the BBC: for once it’s not them causing bad headlines. Today’s latest shining example in public service broadcasting is offered by Channel 4. It seems that in their never-ending quest to boost their flagging ratings, producers have turned in desperation to a TV ‘personality’ with some rather unsavoury views. Go Back to Where You Came From is a new social experiment programme which airs next week. It aims to show ‘a group of Brits experiencing the life-threatening danger asylum seekers find themselves in’. It reportedly will show ‘the terror of small boat crossings’ – will it emphasise the illegality too?
One of those featured is Bushra Shaikh, a self-styled ‘political commentator’ whose main claim to fame seems to be in saying the downright stupid. Yesterday an Iraqi Christian who desecrated a Koran was murdered in Sweden. Shortly afterwards, Shaikh posted on X that ‘the public desecration of any holy book should be viewed as a hate crime and the offender should face consequences.’ She has previously claimed that ‘Nobody is born gay. It is a choice’ and likened homosexuality to paedophilia, argued that Israelis are a ‘European problem’ and suggested ‘questioning everything you were told about Jewish history’.
So, what does the holier than thou bosses at C4 make of all this? Apparently, er, it’s nowt to do with them ‘gov. A Channel 4 spokesman told Mr S:
Go Back to Where You Came From explores how people with strong views on immigration respond when faced with the realities of migrant journeys to Britain. Within the programme, all strong views expressed by contributors are challenged. Outside of the programme, the responsibility for social media posts lies with the individual. Our programmes include contributors from across society who have many different views. Including members of the public in our programmes does not mean Channel 4 endorses whatever those views are. Our programme complies with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
It was just ten months ago that C4 was trumpeting its new ‘First equity strategy’ to ensure ‘everyone who works at Channel 4, will support the business in staying true to and delivering its public service remit.’ Among the values are ‘Choose inclusive partners’ and ‘treat people right’. Channel 4, supposedly, ‘expects its people, particularly its leaders, to drive an inclusive culture’ and ‘set the standard in tackling unacceptable behaviour.’
Presumably just not the ones they actually put on telly.
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