small victory - BBC withdraw interview invitation to the BNP

Basically, the BBC were bombarded with phone calls and e-mails. As discussed on this earlier thread, where you can find the background to the story:
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/westcountry/2004/06/292726.html

With regard to tactics of our refusing to debate with the BNP, I think we have to look at each situation. At the moment the BNP have only just got a little toe hold in the media, and the effect of official bodies like trade unions and elected MPs, etc refusing to appear with them can make the BBC etc. change their minds. So that is what we should be doing at the moment.

The “no platform” argument is to continually remind everyone that the BNP are not part of the legitimate democratic debate, because they want to destroy democracy themselves. However things change, and maybe we will have to adjust our tactics in the future.

In the 1970s “no platform” worked out in the end, with the NF eventually being squeezed off the air, and I remember even the BBC once describing them as the “neo-Nazi National Front” (showing my age). But that was then and this is now.

The NF were much bigger than the BNP, but the BNP have been more succesful in elections – that means that it is easier for the BBC to fall into the trap of treating the BNP as an ordinary political party. If we end up in the situation like in Italy where the fascists do regularly get on the telly, then maybe we will have to debate with them, but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.

But for now – I think no-platform still works, and this small victory shows that the main stream media can be made to withdraw invites to the fascists.

FYI The following press release was therefore issued to the local Swindon and Wiltshire newspapers:

Notes for editors:
I am issueing this hoping to get a story that will show cross party condemnation for the BNP, and some exposure of that party's extremism in advance of thursday's elections. You may of course feel obliged to ask the BNP to comment for balance, but please leave in as much negative stuff as possible about the BNP - we are not trying to get publicity for ourselves so we would much rather it didn't run at all rather than run in a form that might help the BNP.
All the negative facts about the BNP can be verified:  http://www.stopthebnp.com/

Wiltshire BBC in BNP interview storm.

Wiltshire BBC have backed down over plans to give a radio interview to the extremist BNP on D-Day, 6th June after scores of local people telephoned and e-mailed the BBC to complain, including James Gray MP and Julia Drown MP.

Swindon campaigners from Unite Against Fascism leafleted Calne on 6th June against the BNP, who are standing in the Euro elections. The BBC offered to interview Andy Prendergast of Unite Against fascism on Matthew Smith's Sunday Morning programme about why he considers the BNP a fascist party. However, the BBC then said that the BNP’s Press Officer would also be on the programme.

Mr Prendergast, who is an official of the GMB union in Swindon, then withdrew from the programme rather than give the BNP free publicity. The BBC then said they intended to proceed anyway with the BNP interview.

Andy Newman, spokesperson for Unite Against Fascism explained: “The BNP pose as respectable politicians but many of their leading members have convictions for violence, and race hatred. 355000 British and Commonwealth Servicemen died fighting Hitler’s Nazis so it is quite wrong to give a platform to the BNP on the 60th anniversary of D-Day. The BNP pose as patriotic but the BNP don’t even support the England football team, because some players are black or Jewish! So when I learned that BBC were planning to give them air-time I immediately contacted as many people as I could and asked them to complain. I am glad the BBC changed their mind - this is an example of peoples’ power!”

James Gray, conservative MP for North Wilts wrote to the BBC: “The BNP are not a legitimate political party, and their extremist racist views are not welcome over Wiltshire's airwaves.”

Julia Drown, Labour MP for Swindon South rang the BBC to complain, and said she was very pleased that the BBC had changed their decision.

Mark Weaver, also wrote to the BBC: “I am a Liberal Democrat candidate in Swindon. I am planning to take time out from our campaign to come to Calne to support Unite Against Fascism on Sunday. I understand that you have used the event to give an interview to the BNP. The point of the action is that the BNP are beyond the pale of normal political discourse and I wish to complain about the organization being given airtime.”

The BNP gained coverage in the Swindon Evening Advertiser, and its sister paper the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald earlier this year by wrongly claiming they would be standing candidates in Swindon and Malmesbury for the local elections. However, they were unable to find candidates in either town because the BNP has very little support in Wiltshire.

Kirsty Ward, BBC News Editor stated that the item had been withdrawn because it was not news.