BBC defends itself amid criticism over interviews with ‘Mizzy’ and Andrew Tate
The BBC has defended its determination to broadcast quite a lot of controversial interviews over the previous two days, amid accusations that the output has been “Cringeworthy”, “humiliating” and undermined their Public Service Broadcaster remit.
Over the final two days, the BBC has coated the revelation {that a} Tory-hating Twitter account pretending to be an nameless Tory MP is run by a Tory-hating pro-EU private coach; interviewed “thug” TikTok ‘prankster’ Mizzy; and platformed controversial influencer Andrew Tate.
Today, the Express revealed widespread condemnation of the BBC’s editorial selections.
Senior Tory MP Simon Clarke stated the broadcasts have been “about as far from the Reithian ethos as it’s possible for the BBC to stray.”
READ MORE: BBC’s 48 hours of TV interviews including Mizzy, Tory-hating PT and Andrew Tate
Fellow Tory Andrea Jenkyns told the Express: “By affording a platform to attention-seeking Tory trolls, such as the Secret Tory Twitter parody account, the BBC inadvertently amplifies their views, casting a shadow on the integrity of their journalistic standards.”
Baroness Claire Fox stated: Bad sufficient having Mizzy on Newsnight, he ran rings, mocking BBC News for inviting him on and accused the broadcaster of fuelling Andrew Tate’s fame by doing an extended interview with him”.
“Mizzy and Tate might ‘do’ notoriety for clicks/fame; What’s the BBC‘s excuse? Cringeworthy/humiliating.”
The Express can now reveal the BBC is refusing to shy away from its editorial choices.
It refused to directly answer criticism which has been levelled at them today, nor defend the specific output being condemned.
In a statement, a BBC spokesman informed Express.co.uk: “The BBC has reported on a huge range of public interest stories over the past 24 hours – including the tragic deaths in Bournemouth, the rail strikes, the cost of living crisis and the upcoming Covid inquiry”.
Former Downing Street Chief of Staff Nick Timothy, who suggested Theresa May on the Home Office, slammed the interview with TikTok prankster Mizzy, who’s presently on bail after recording but extra movies, in a breach of his court docket order.
“He is a thug and a criminal who terrorises his neighbourhood, so why exactly is the BBC treating him like a sage or spokesman?”
Yesterday was the 77th anniversary of the BBC introducing the licence fee – an effective tax on anyone who watches live broadcast TV.
MPs used the milestone to call on the telly tax to be scrapped, in a new era of multi-channel broadcasting an on-demand subscription services like Netflix.
Tory MP and GB News presenter Philip Davies informed the Express the BBC licence is “completely anachronistic” and has “no place” in a contemporary society when there may be a lot selection for viewers and listeners.
He stated: “It cannot be right that people are forced to pay for the BBC whether they want to watch and listen to it or not, just as it would be unacceptable to force people through the criminal law to buy a Sky subscription against their wishes.
“It is time for the licence fee to come to an end.”