A letter to auntie

Hopefully the ripples from the fascist stuff last week will subside quickly, but I thought I'd post up this letter of complaint to the BBC anyway.

Next piece comming soon.

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Sir / Madam

I am writing to complain in the strongest terms about the systematic hype given to Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time last week. I also have a series of questions in bold I would like answered as soon as practically possible.

Normal practice in Question Time is for guests to be announced at the end of the preceding edition. As a licence payer I require you to tell me:

- Why the BBC built up to the programme by regular mentions in news bulletins across the network of Mr Griffins appearance.

- Why the show was oriented around the appearance and opinions of one guest .

Both these phenomena are unique in my experience of watching the show since childhood.

You have given Mr Griffin enhanced status as a guest you consider newsworthy.

- Who made these decisions, when, via which procedures and under what auspices?

If it was a matter of chasing ratings then I hope the BBC is pleased that in return for a 4 fold increase in ratings on the back of your orchestrated publicity there has been a vast increase in interest in the fascist party and ideology.

Although claims may be made about wanting to "expose" the party or that Mr Griffin may have looked foolish to some, it is pretty clear that he and his party benefited, first from the hype for their brand, then from the victim status they can legitimately claim from the unique way the show was conducted.

Please understand I am in no way objecting to the invitation granted to an elected MEP to appear on the show. I also accept that a degree of controversy was inevitable. However, the completely different treatment accorded to him was needless, naive and highly irresponsible.

For years the BBC has given disproportionate coverage to this medium sized party.


I also require to know if an editorial decision was taken at any time or level during the recent European election campaign that the BNP were to be one of the "major" stories.

As an example The Green Party get more votes nationwide and have many more elected representatives. Why do they not get the same amount of attention? Are they just not sensationalist enough to suit your "news" agenda?


I trust that when Mr Griffin or other BNP speakers are to appear on such shows in future, they will receive exactly the same amount of low grade publicity given to other speakers. Any other approach will indicate a continuing fetish for fascism. The BBC needs to look long and hard at the dynamics behind this. I trust you can speak to this issue as well as answering my questions and give me some account of discussions about last week's circus that are taking place at higher levels.


Thank you for your time, I look forward to a full and detailed reply.

Steven Durrant