"Why did BBC call on Christian who supports execution of gays to comment on Sir Elton’s baby?"

[demoleft]

bbc under fire with homophobia accusations, in relation to the case of elton john's baby.

"BBC coverage of Elton's baby provokes claims of homophobia", titles the Independent.
"the BBC is facing action by gay viewers and listeners, who have been asked to withhold the licence fee in protest at a succession of broadcasts that have been criticised as homophobic."

pinknews reports:

"the BBC’s flagship News at Six on BBC One featured a right-wing fundamentalist Christian who had previously supported the execution of gay people to comment on the birth of a surrogate son to Sir Elton John and his civil partner David Furnish. Incredibly, the BBC did not seem to realise that the same preacher had faced bankruptcy after losing an attempted private prosecution for blasphemy against the director general of the BBC after the character of Jesus described himself as “a little bit gay” in ‘Jerry Springer: The Opera’.

on the 28th December, Sir Elton and his partner, the film-maker David Furnish announced the birth of their son, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, to an unnamed surrogate mother.

the same night, the BBC broadcast a report by Lizo Mzimba on the birth of the child. With the introduction “not everyone is pleased to see such a high profile same sex couple start to raise a surrogate child”, Mr Mzimba proceeded to interview Stephen Green, of right-wing group Christian Voice, without any warning that he is someone who has in the past supported the death penalty for gay men.

in an interview that was visibly edited together, Mr Green told the BBC: “This isn’t just a designer baby for Sir Elton John, this is a designer accessory… Now it seems like money can buy him anything, and so he has entered into this peculiar arrangement… The baby is a product of it. A baby needs a mother and it seems an act of pure selfishness to deprive a baby of a mother.”

sources:
pinknews article and updating: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/12/29/exclusive-why-did-bbc-call-on-christian-who-supports-execution-of-gays-to-comment-on-sir-eltons-baby/">HERE
the independent article: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/bbc-coverage-of-eltons-baby-provokes-claims-of-homophobia-2173355.html">HERE

who is christian fundamentalist stephen green and who are his followers at the christian voice (CV),http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Voice_%28UK%29">HERE

[Heidi]

1. As a DUer observed in another thread, it's like asking a Nazi to comment on Hannukah.

Hi, demoleft! :hi:

[demoleft]

2. ciao heidi! :)

:hi:

and the wish of a joyful new year, my dear friend!

[Heidi]

4. !

:hug:

Buon Anno!

[Skittles]

3. extremely irresponsible journalism

they deserve to get SLAMMED for this

[dipsydoodle]

5. withhold the licence fee ?

Not worth the aggravation which would ensue. I'm surprised that's even been suggested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

[ck4829]

6. So if they do a bit on the dimensions of the Earth, does that mean they'll bring in a flat earther

for balance?

[tanyev]

7. Well, ya gotta present both sides of the issue.

Only way it's really fair and balanced, you know.

[barbtries]

8. someone at the bbc

is a homophobe. figure out who and fire that person.

[SoCalDem]

9. For the same reason why Pat Buchanan is the "go-to-guy" anyrime MSNBC wants "comments" on Obama

or why Bob Shrum is the go-to-Dem of choice on most things lately

[GeorgeGist]

10. Because Freedom and Democracy ...

demand that stupidity have a voice and a vote.