The BBC has been accused of putting “fear of causing offence” over “public safety” over an editorial decision to prioritise international stories over British news.
This morning, the broadcaster, funded by the public, made the editorial decision to splash a story about Ukraine on its homepage, over the murder of Henry Nowak or the latest tranche of the Lord Peter Mandelson files being released.
Despite being significant national stories, the BBC placed relevant articles on their website as supporting pieces next to the splash, which was the story on Russia’s overnight attack on 13 Ukrainian cities.
As a result, the broadcaster finds itself on the end of some scathing criticism over a controversial editorial decision once again.
Rebecca Ryan, Campaign Director at Defund the BBC, told GB News: “The Henry Nowak case shines a spotlight on the toxic culture of institutional squeamishness that has taken hold across much of Britain’s establishment.
“For years, difficult questions around race, policing and public safety have too often been avoided for fear of causing offence. The BBC has been one of the leading cultural forces behind that mindset.
“It is therefore hardly surprising that the Corporation appears reluctant to give this case the prominence it deserves. Many licence fee payers will see the BBC’s handling of the story as further evidence that it is more interested in protecting fashionable orthodoxies than confronting uncomfortable truths.”
The Henry Nowak case has been unfolding since the 18-year-old was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, in Southampton late last year.
Henry Nowak’s case has called into question institutions who are putting ‘fear of causing offence’ over ‘public safety’
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HANDOUTAfter being stabbed five times, the police were called and arrested Mr Nowak as he was bleeding to death, after his killer accused him of being racist.
The case has captured the attention of the nation in what is being described as “two-tier” justice.
Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage said today: “The last thing he heard was being read his rights by police.
“The accusation of a racial slur is treated more seriously than actual violence.
Neither Peter Mandelson nor Henry Nowak were centre stage on the BBC website this morning
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“What is the response of many of our politicians? Silence. It is two-tier Britain.”
The Guardian, a left-wing publication, made a similar editorial decision to the BBC, a self-proclaimed “impartial” broadcaster, in not giving the Henry Nowak story high priority on their website.
The first 10 stories on the Guardian website did not feature Henry Nowak’s case at all until 9:30am this morning, to which it is now the splash.
Ms Ryan continued: “The British public should not be compelled to fund an organisation that has helped create the climate in which those truths are so often ignored.”
A BBC spokeman said: “The assertion that the BBC hasn’t given this tragic story due prominence is simply wrong and is disproved by the fact that we have reported on it comprehensively across all our broadcast channels and digital platforms – and will continue to do so.”