Comments on: Should heterosexuals face execution?

By: Every Day Project Management Skills – Yes, You are a Project Manager

Every Day Project Management Skills – Yes, You are a Project Manager — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:44:23 +0000

[...] Should heterosexuals face execution? | gaelick [...]

By: Nelly

Nelly — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:45:34 +0000

The BBC doesn’t operate in a moral vacuum. It has to follow the broadcasting code laid down by Ofcom, which includes guidelines on “harm and offense”.

I’d just like to leave you with one thought. The BBC is obliged to give all elected political parties air time. Though they keep it to the absolute minimum, it means they occasionally have to let the BNP have their say. Every time the BNP gets air time their figures in the polls increase. Giving a platform to the politics of hate has very tangible consequences.

By: CanuckJacq

CanuckJacq — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:36:26 +0000

You can’t ask “would the cause be advanced” because the BBC is not a political or lobby group. It isn’t their job to advance an agenda. You can’t attack the media for something because it might not advance a cause. In fact, I’d be more likely to attack them for advancing a particular agenda because that’s not what they’re supposed to do, regardless of how right we think that agenda is.

I don’t think the question has harmed the movement against the Ugandan law. It certainly hasn’t made it seem more reasonable. It hasn’t advanced the cause of the anti-gay Uganda bill, and therefore I don’t think it’s really that objectionable.

I get what you’re trying to say (that they are a respected organisation who are appearing neutral on the subject of people being killed for being gay), but I think we’ll have to agree to disagree. I do realise that I’m the only person I know who holds this opinion, so I’m obviously just being difficult

By: Nelly

Nelly — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:27:20 +0000

It’s one thing to ask a provocative question to shed light on an issue. It’s quite another matter to wade into a very live human rights struggle with a question that assumes a neutral stance on someone’s right to life. Would the cause of the American civil rights movement have been advanced by asking “should African Americans be lynched”?

This wasn’t the musings of a private individual. The BBC World Service is an internationally respected organisation that is funded by the British Foreign Office.

By: CanuckJacq

CanuckJacq — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:04:51 +0000

I’m well aware of the illegality of homosexuality in African countries. I’ve been following the Uganda story for quite some time, and have a few gay African friends.

I still don’t think we’re better off hiding from the reality of that question. I saw more outrage over that question than I did about the Ugandan law being passed, which shows a serious lack of priorities in the community, I think.

That’s what we should be outraged about, not a question on the BBC website.

By: Nelly

Nelly — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:21:27 +0000

The reason this question should not be asked, CanuckJacq, is because this is more than a theoretical proposition. 37 African nations currently outlaw homosexuality. Rwanda and Nigeria are set to follow Uganda’s example by seeking to make it an offense punishable by death. In Sundan it already is. Gay people are quite literally fighting for their right to life.

This poll was placed on a BCC World Service talk board by a member of their Africa bureau. Personally I think that employee should be sacked.

By: CanuckJacq

CanuckJacq — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:54:58 +0000

While I don’t think we should give a platform to homophobes, etc, I think sometimes we go a bit crazy. Why shouldn’t they ask the question?

Presumably the majority of responses were “Don’t be stupid, of course not.” but it’s useful sometimes to see the other answers — reminding ourselves and others that homophobia is still alive and well, and reminding society of the needs for special protections (hate crime laws, etc).

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:36:27 +0000

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