BBC refuses to screen play about
Islamic threat to freedom of speech
“In the past, Thompson has conceded that there is “a growing nervousness about discussion about Islam”. He claimed that because Muslims were a religious minority in Britain, and also often from ethnic minorities, their faith should be given different coverage to that of more established groups.”
This contributor says it well enough: “‘ He (Thompson) claimed that because Muslims were a religious minority in Britain, and also often from ethnic minorities, their faith should be given different coverage to that of more established groups.’ What an idiotic comment. Muslims across Europe now number in the several millions (with about 2 million in the UK). Worldwide, there are 1.6 billion. They exercise enormous power through their control of university departments, their think tanks, and their numerous organizations, which are always aggressively opposed to British (or French or Swedish or Norwegian norms). Saudi and Gulf state wealth buys them influence out of proportion to other minorities. Iran exerts influence in Syria, the West Bank, Gaza and elsewhere, and this has a baneful effect on Western debate about the Middle East conflict. Treating Muslims as some tiny, ineffectual minority that should not be discriminated against is a sign of total thoughtlessness. This does not permit discrimination, but it argues that Islam should be the subject of critical essays, stage plays, television drama, and much more. Freedom to criticize is at the heart of Western civilization. If Muslims want to live here, they must get used to being part of critical debate at all levels.” – Denis MacEoin
The Telegraph – Mark Thompson, the BBC’s director-general, says it will not screen the controversial ‘Can We Talk About This?’.
Mark Thompson, the BBC’s director-general has no plans to air the play ‘Can We Talk About This?’ Photo: PA
Although the BBC was willing to disregard protests from Christians who considered its decision to broadcast Jerry Springer: The Opera as an affront, Mark Thompson, its outgoing director-general, is more wary of giving airtime to Can We Talk About This?, the National Theatre’s examination of how Islam is curtailing freedom of speech.
Lloyd Newson, the director of the DV8 physical theatre company which staged the new work, challenged Thompson to screen his production during a platform discussion at the theatre.
He pointed out that Jerry Springer: The Opera was a lot more controversial because it was a “satire”, whereas his work, consisting of a series of comments and factual statements set to dance, is “a factual piece”.
Thompson’s spokesman tells me: “We are currently working with the National on various ideas. There are currently no plans to broadcast Can We Talk About This?, but this is not due to the play’s content or themes.”
In the past, Thompson has conceded that there is “a growing nervousness about discussion about Islam”. He claimed that because Muslims were a religious minority in Britain, and also often from ethnic minorities, their faith should be given different coverage to that of more established groups.
Can We Talk About This? was lauded by newspapers on the Left and Right, with The Sunday Telegraph saying that dance proved “a powerful metaphor for freedom”. It described it as a “refreshing, unexpected and very courageous piece of theatre”.
(Article)
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