Mark Thompson appears to be unaware that many Muslims are out to destroy Western civilization. Or is this fact of little consequence to the man? What a ridiculous, soft, appeasing attitude he has!
For God’s sake (not Allah’s) don’t use public funds to tread softly softly on the enemy like this. Did the BBC go easy on Hitler and the Nazis in the late Thirties and Forties? Of course not. But then, that was an altogether different time – a time when people had strength and courage, and the determination to overcome the forces working against them. - ©Mark
THE TELEGRAPH: Islam should be treated more sensitively by the media than Christianity, according to the director general of the BBC.
Mark Thompson claimed that because Muslims are a religious minority in Britain and also often from ethnic minorities, their faith should be given different coverage to that of more established groups.
His comments come after the comedian Ben Elton accused the BBC of being scared of making jokes about Islam, while Hindus have claimed it favours Muslims over other religions.
But Mr Thompson, speaking at the annual public theology lecture of the religion think-tank Theos, insisted the state broadcaster would show programmes that criticised Islam if they were of sufficient quality.
The director general, whose corporation faced accusations of blasphemy from Christians after it allowed the transmission of the musical Jerry Springer -The Opera, also said his Christian beliefs guided his judgments and disclosed that he had never watched the Monty Python film Life of Brian which satirises the story of Jesus.
In his speech last night, Mr Thompson claimed there are now more programmes about religion on BBC television and radio than there have been in recent decades, whereas coverage has declined on ITV.
But asked whether it was correct that the BBC "let vicar gags pass but not imam gags", as Elton claimed, he admitted it did take a different approach to Islam, which has 1.6million followers in Britain, compared to its approach to the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church.
Mr Thompson said: "My view is that there is a difference between the position of Christianity, which I believe should be central to the BBC's religion coverage and widely respected and followed.
"What Christian identity feels like it is about to the broad population is a little bit different to people for whom their religion is also associated with an ethnic identity which has not been fully integrated. BBC Boss Says Islam Should Be Treated More Sensitively than Christianity >>> By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent | October 15, 2008
MAIL ONLINE: The BBC Will Tackle Islam Differently to [sic] Christianity … and We Won’t Make Jokes about It, Admits Director General
BBC director general Mark Thompson has admitted that the broadcaster has to tackle Islam differently to [sic] Christianity and is reluctant to broadcast jokes about it.
He suggested that coverage needed to consider the feelings of Muslims because they are a religious minority, and had not fully integrated in to British society.
Mr Thompson was responding to comments made by comedian Ben Elton earlier this year who accused the BBC of being too scared to joke about Islam.
He said the corporation was too concerned with political correctness to poke fun at imams but were happy to satirise vicars.
Speaking at an annual theology lecture for religious think tank Theos, Mr Thompson said: 'My view is that there is a difference between the position of Christianity, which I believe should be central to the BBC's religion coverage and widely respected and followed.
'What Christian identity feels like to the broad population is a little bit different to people for whom their religion is also associated with an ethnic identity which has not been fully integrated.
'There's no reason why any religion should be immune from discussion, but I don't want to say that all religions are the same. To be a minority I think puts a slightly different outlook on it.'
Elton made his comments earlier this year in an interview with Christian magazine Third Way when he was asked if too much deference was shown to religious people.
'I think it all starts with people nodding whenever anybody says, 'As a person of faith ...',' he said.
'And I believe that part of it is due to the genuine fear that the authorities and the community have about provoking the radical elements of Islam," he said.
'There's no doubt about it, the BBC will let vicar gags pass but they would not let imam gags pass. They might pretend that it's, you know, something to do with their moral sensibilities, but it isn't. It's because they're scared. I know these people.'
However Thompson's admission was met with derision by Christian and media groups.
Stephen Green, director of Christian Voice, said: 'Mr Thompson seems to be saying that because Islam is a minority religion it should be treated with kid gloves.
'This is ridiculous. All religions should be treated with equally and with the same approach. I think the reality is that the BBC treats coverage of Islam and Muslims differently because it is terrified of offending them. It is political correctness. The BBC is simply not bothered about offending Christians despite the majority of this country being of that faith.'
John Beyer, director of Mediawatch, said: 'All religions need to be treated in the same way, otherwise how can the BBC claim to be impartial?
'I think that any approach to religious debate and discussion that is not impartial is not what the BBC should be doing.' >>> By Liz Thomas | October 15, 2008
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
