Does a far-right party deserve more air time on TV because it won a poll victory?
The British National Party has caused a lot of controversy since being founded in 1980. Now that it has won two seats in the European parliament, journalists are worried about devoting more time to BNP policies.
The BNP has sparked huge debates on racism and immigration. Its own constitution states that the party is “committed to stemming and reversing the tide of non-white immigration.”
Usually the media has taken a strongly anti-BNP stance. However, since the party won seats in the European Union, journalists are concerned they may have to devote more time to interviewing BNP supporters and members.
The issue is especially significant for the BBC. As a neutral broadcaster, the broadcaster is committed to giving equivalent airtime to the major parties. With the BNP now showing a serious challenge, should the BBC allow them more of the spotlight?
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Do you think that the BNP should be given equal airtime? Or are there some policies that are so extreme journalists should avoid giving them any publicity? Share your thoughts in the box below.
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Comments
People only vote for them because they actually do stuff that (some) people want, if the main parties did something good then no one would care about the BNP.
26-03-10
I can't help thinking they'd probably fluff it anyway if they had airtime. Did anyone see their party political broadcast earlier this year? Pure comedy! Give them the rope and let them be the masters of their own downfall. That's my opinion anyway!
balkjjkl · 02-10-09
Of course they deserve our airtime. We are in a world where secrecy has been abolished- any attempts to try and 'block' the BNP would become fruitless as they would post their messages over the internet or via other media.
Furthermore, we are able, as voters, to choose for ourselves who we wish to vote for. A lot of us realise that (in my opinion) a lot of their policies are nationalist and clearly wrong, so we don't vote for them. I think the reason they got in in the first place was simply because everybody had become disillusioned with the main parties over the MP expenses scandal.
01-10-09
Any comments?