Comment on the networks that made the BBC suspend its presenter

The UK’s immigration bill has not only led to political debates, but also the suspension of the BBC’s highest-paid presenter: former footballer and commentator Gary Lineker, who has been with the station for 24 years and is the main face of the programme. Match of the day.

Lineker declared on Twitter that the project was “awful” and compared the government’s vocabulary on the refugee issue with what was seen in Germany in the decade in which Adolf Hitler came to power.

The bill was introduced in recent days by the Home Secretary, Soella Braverman, as a way to combat the increase in the overall number of people trying to enter the UK by boat from France across the English Channel.

According to official figures, more than 45,000 people entered the UK illegally on boats last year, up from 300 in 2018. On irregular routes they are promptly sent back to their home countries (or third countries such as France) and prevented from setting foot. on British soil.

The argument of the British government is that France is not a country that would put potential refugees at risk, and therefore, there would be no reason for such people to attempt to cross the Channel, in a perilous crossing. The majority, according to the British government, will be made up of economic migrants rather than refugees.

An initiative of the conservative government that caused strong controversy provided for these immigrants to be sent to Rwanda, in Africa, so that they could apply for refugee status there – or in third countries, from there.

But, as in the case of Rwanda, critics have questioned the morality of the government’s recently announced plan and questioned whether it conforms to European and United Nations agreements on protecting human rights and refugees.

Lineker tweet

One such criticism came from Gary Lineker. When retweeting a video of Suella Braverman saying “we need to stop the boats,” the presenter commented: “This is far from terrible.”

“There is no massive influx of refugees. We are taking in far fewer refugees than other major European countries. Is this just a very harsh policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language not unlike that used by Germany in the 1930s, and I am unfit?”, Follow Lineker when replying to a comment on Twitter.

The comparison with Germany in the 1930s, when the country was under the Nazi regime (Hitler came to power in 1933), provoked reactions and discussions about Linker’s speech mainly in two respects: on the one hand, comparisons of attitudes with the Nazi regime and the Holocaust tended to criticize them for minimizing them to an extent What are the horrors of Nazism, when 6 million people, mostly Jews, were executed by the regime of Adolf Hitler. On the other hand, the comment raised questions about the BBC’s handling of public expression on controversial issues by its highest-paid presenter.

Soella Braverman stated that the BBC’s comment “minimizes the unspeakable tragedy” promoted by the German government at the time.

BBC Commentary

Because of the comment, the BBC suspended Lineker, which said, through a statement, that the presenter had breached the broadcaster’s rules on the use of social media networks by tweeting about immigration law.

Treating impartiality as one of its most important pillars, the BBC, has strict rules regarding the use of social networks: journalists in particular must not issue opinions that impinge on the company’s values ​​and the trust it receives from the public it funds. broadcaster.

“The BBC is committed to seeking due impartiality in all its content. This commitment is fundamental to our reputation, values ​​and public confidence. ‘Due’ means that impartiality must be appropriate and appropriate to the content, taking into account the expectations of the audience and any indication that may influence that expectation.” As the broadcaster’s editing guide says.

However, Lineker’s case—as a sports presenter and commentator, rather than as a journalist—is mixed. In a statement about the case, the BBC said: “It has never been said that Gary cannot express his views, or that he cannot have opinions on issues that concern him, but rather that he should steer clear of taking sides on partisan issues or political controversies.”

This position is explained, mainly, by Gary Lineker’s projections, but it has raised criticism and questions about how this action could leave the BBC on the “wrong side” of the debate over freedom of expression.

It was decided to withdraw from the show Match of the day Until we agree on a clear position on your use of social media.”

The decision was also the target of criticism from the BBC, which was succumbing to pressure from Britain’s Conservative government. Greg Dyke, one of the broadcaster’s former general managers, said the BBC had undermined its credibility. He also said sports presenters could not be subject to the same rules as the press team.

In solidarity with Lineker, the other participants in Match of the day Even some soccer players announced a boycott of the program, which will be broadcast on Saturday (11/3) without presenters.

Several other radio and TV sports programs were pulled off the air at the last minute on Saturday as presenters pulled out, in a bid to support Lineker – whose annual wages are £1.3m, the highest. Paid advance on the station.

He told reporters he did not regret his tweet.

This text was originally published in https://www.bbc.com/english/articles/c99ywq020xwo