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Broadcasters attack Theresa May's plan to vet TV programmes for extremism Broadcasters attack Theresa May's plan to vet TV programmes for extremism
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Senior figures in broadcasting have criticised proposals to introduce counter-extremism powers allowing the vetting of British television programmes nefore transmission as impractical and unjustified.Senior figures in broadcasting have criticised proposals to introduce counter-extremism powers allowing the vetting of British television programmes nefore transmission as impractical and unjustified.
A government plan to strengthen the role of media regulator Ofcom to take “tough measures against channels that broadcast extremist content” was outlined in the Queen’s speech last week.A government plan to strengthen the role of media regulator Ofcom to take “tough measures against channels that broadcast extremist content” was outlined in the Queen’s speech last week.
That followed an initial suggestion by the home secretary, Theresa May, to give Ofcom unprecedented powers to take pre-emptive action against broadcasters, which was subsequently criticised by her cabinet colleague Sajid Javid who warned it would turn the regulator into a state “censor”.That followed an initial suggestion by the home secretary, Theresa May, to give Ofcom unprecedented powers to take pre-emptive action against broadcasters, which was subsequently criticised by her cabinet colleague Sajid Javid who warned it would turn the regulator into a state “censor”.
Michael Grade, former chairman of the BBC and chief executive of ITV and Channel 4, said: “I would be very suspicious of ex-ante powers of publication being given to a regulator or anyone.Michael Grade, former chairman of the BBC and chief executive of ITV and Channel 4, said: “I would be very suspicious of ex-ante powers of publication being given to a regulator or anyone.
“The old Hugh Cudlipp dictum of publish and be damned still holds forth. You would have to see the details of any proposal but I think it would be very difficult to justify.”“The old Hugh Cudlipp dictum of publish and be damned still holds forth. You would have to see the details of any proposal but I think it would be very difficult to justify.”
Ofcom already has strict rules forbidding the broadcast of harmful extremist material and hate speech over the airwaves. It takes robust action when rules are broken, from fines to revoking broadcasters’ licences.Ofcom already has strict rules forbidding the broadcast of harmful extremist material and hate speech over the airwaves. It takes robust action when rules are broken, from fines to revoking broadcasters’ licences.
But all of its regulatory powers are post-transmission. May’s plan, revealed in a pre-election document outlining an extremism strategy for a “stronger Britain”, would give Ofcom the power to approve programmes before transmission, a fundamental shift.But all of its regulatory powers are post-transmission. May’s plan, revealed in a pre-election document outlining an extremism strategy for a “stronger Britain”, would give Ofcom the power to approve programmes before transmission, a fundamental shift.
Roger Mosey, the BBC’s former editorial director who edited Radio 4’s Today programme, said: “I think it’s completely impractical, unless you are given a list of banned people who aren’t allowed on your programme.Roger Mosey, the BBC’s former editorial director who edited Radio 4’s Today programme, said: “I think it’s completely impractical, unless you are given a list of banned people who aren’t allowed on your programme.
“There are difficulties sometimes in deciding what is extremism and what is not; hardline religious conservatism is one thing, inciting terrorist violence another. I’m not sure politicians are the best to judge which is which.”“There are difficulties sometimes in deciding what is extremism and what is not; hardline religious conservatism is one thing, inciting terrorist violence another. I’m not sure politicians are the best to judge which is which.”
An internal BBC seminar a few years ago asked the question whether the media would run, if offered, an interview with Osama Bin Laden, who was then still at large.An internal BBC seminar a few years ago asked the question whether the media would run, if offered, an interview with Osama Bin Laden, who was then still at large.
“Would you take it? Actually you would,” said Mosey. “Broadcasters should have the right to do it, as long as it is properly contextualised and challenged. It is in the public interest to find out what extremists think.”“Would you take it? Actually you would,” said Mosey. “Broadcasters should have the right to do it, as long as it is properly contextualised and challenged. It is in the public interest to find out what extremists think.”
It remains to be seen what shape Ofcom’s new powers would take and how effective they would be. David Cameron said last week the government’s extremism proposals were “extremely sensible”. He added: “Ofcom has got a role to make sure that we don’t broadcast extremist messages through our media.”It remains to be seen what shape Ofcom’s new powers would take and how effective they would be. David Cameron said last week the government’s extremism proposals were “extremely sensible”. He added: “Ofcom has got a role to make sure that we don’t broadcast extremist messages through our media.”
Section three of the regulator’s broadcasting code says TV and radio services must not include material “likely to encourage or incite … crime or to lead to disorder”.Section three of the regulator’s broadcasting code says TV and radio services must not include material “likely to encourage or incite … crime or to lead to disorder”.
While there have been a number of breaches in recent years, Ofcom has deemed only a handful serious enough to warrant a sanction. Birmingham-based Noor TV was fined £85,000 in 2013 after a presenter said it was a duty for Muslims to murder anyone who insulted the prophet Muhammad.While there have been a number of breaches in recent years, Ofcom has deemed only a handful serious enough to warrant a sanction. Birmingham-based Noor TV was fined £85,000 in 2013 after a presenter said it was a duty for Muslims to murder anyone who insulted the prophet Muhammad.
Ofcom signed a memorandum of understanding with the government last year, detailing how it shared information and its responsibilities to identify and investigate extremism.Ofcom signed a memorandum of understanding with the government last year, detailing how it shared information and its responsibilities to identify and investigate extremism.
But the most extreme sectarian hate speech comes from broadcasters outside of Ofcom’s remit, based in Iraq, Syria or Egypt, without a TV platform in the UK but whose content is easily distributed online.But the most extreme sectarian hate speech comes from broadcasters outside of Ofcom’s remit, based in Iraq, Syria or Egypt, without a TV platform in the UK but whose content is easily distributed online.
Diane Coyle, the former acting chair and vice-chair of the BBC Trust, said: “If there is a problem anywhere it is a problem with social media. The idea a public body like Ofcom should be pre-vetting broadcast material is wrong in principle and wouldn’t work in practice. I don’t think it is a good idea at all.”Diane Coyle, the former acting chair and vice-chair of the BBC Trust, said: “If there is a problem anywhere it is a problem with social media. The idea a public body like Ofcom should be pre-vetting broadcast material is wrong in principle and wouldn’t work in practice. I don’t think it is a good idea at all.”
May was critical of BBC2’s Newsnight interview with radical Islamist activist Anjem Choudary following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich two years ago, saying the government had to look at the role of Ofcom in relation to “what is being beamed into people’s homes”.May was critical of BBC2’s Newsnight interview with radical Islamist activist Anjem Choudary following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich two years ago, saying the government had to look at the role of Ofcom in relation to “what is being beamed into people’s homes”.
Pre-vetting has echoes of Margaret Thatcher’s 1980s tactic of trying to starve Irish republicanism of the “oxygen of publicity” which ended with Gerry Adams and other Sinn Féin spokespeople having their voices dubbed by actors.Pre-vetting has echoes of Margaret Thatcher’s 1980s tactic of trying to starve Irish republicanism of the “oxygen of publicity” which ended with Gerry Adams and other Sinn Féin spokespeople having their voices dubbed by actors.
Related: Theresa May's anti-extremism plan will protect free speech, says Sajid Javid
Stephen Whittle, former controller of BBC editorial policy and ex-director of Ofcom forerunner the Broadcasting Standards Commission, said: “Powers to vet or prevent broadcasts went away with the Independent Broadcasting Authority more than 25 years ago.Stephen Whittle, former controller of BBC editorial policy and ex-director of Ofcom forerunner the Broadcasting Standards Commission, said: “Powers to vet or prevent broadcasts went away with the Independent Broadcasting Authority more than 25 years ago.
“The proposal to give Ofcom such a power is a step back in time which undermines the commitment to freedom of expression enshrined in the Communications Act and the Human Rights Act. The criminal law already covers incitement to hatred when that freedom is abused.“The proposal to give Ofcom such a power is a step back in time which undermines the commitment to freedom of expression enshrined in the Communications Act and the Human Rights Act. The criminal law already covers incitement to hatred when that freedom is abused.
“There are certainly challenges that arise from the expression of extremism but they are better dealt with by debate and discussion and the existing law.”“There are certainly challenges that arise from the expression of extremism but they are better dealt with by debate and discussion and the existing law.”