Magda Hassan Wrote:Why did any one from any other political party agree to go on the BBC 'Question Time' with the BNP? Jack Straw wouldn't even speak with one of his constituents in his office because she wore a niqab but he is happy to be in the company of fascist Nick Griffin in front of millions? And the others on the panel?

Why did the head of the BBC, a man personally responsible for refusing to broadcast a community announcement appeal to raise money for the victims of Israeli destruction of Gaza, a decision he presumably does not consider to be censorship but permits the BNP a public platform which is against the BBC own standards? There is plenty of editorial control in the BBC for things they want controlled and for the head of the BBC to say that not to have the BNP on 'Question Time' is disingenuous. It amounts to promotion of fascism and racism on the public dime and time. Also antifascists have been meticulously vetted from the audience, while BNP members and supporters were in attendance.

Paul Rigby Wrote:Someone should have a good look at who funds and backs the production company responsible for Question Time. It is almost certainly of relevance to recall how the spooks stacked Question Time audiences during the debate on British membership of the EEC in the early 1970s.

Quote:By way of contrast, morale has never been higher round at the offices of Conservative 2000, John Redwood’s mildly anti-European brains trust, although we detect the hand of the Foreign Office in the recent events that have helped buoy the Vulcans. All those ambassadors and emissaries lining up to pay their respects – Argentina has called, Australia and France are expected – look suspiciously like part of that classic FO shuffle known as building up a moderate, acceptable version of the enemy. There was the SDLP in Northern Ireland and there was, famously, Bishop Abel Muzorewa, PM of Rhodesia’s transitional government and Britain’s great black anti-Marxist hope. In News From Nowhere (Hamish Hamilton, 1986), David Caute’s hero Richard Stern covers the Zimbabwe elections in early 1980 for the Times. His bosses are assured that Stern’s despatches are off track, tipping Robert Mugabe as election favourite; “the bishop” is the main man. The Times resolves to sack Stern. At last glance, RM was still i/c in Zim, and the bishop, presumably, has returned to bishoping. Not an encouraging long-term career outlook for JR.

Paul Rigby Wrote:It is almost certainly of relevance to recall how the spooks stacked Question Time audiences during the debate on British membership of the EEC in the early 1970s.

Magda Hassan Wrote:Question Time is owned by the Mentorn Group http://www.mentorn.tv/People/
which is part of the Tinopolis group http://www.tinopolis.com/WhoAreWe/Management/?pid=2&id=33
Looking for more info. Any of these company directors look interesting?

Jan Klimkowski Wrote:Question Time as a TV programme didn't start until September 1979.

It was originally produced in-house by BBC News & Current Affairs. In the 1990s, the BBC signed up to a 25% "production quota" from outside production companies. At some time during this period, Question Time was moved to Mentorn, or its predecessor company - I can't remember.