BBC governors reject 'Springer' complaints
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BBC governors have rejected 65,000 complaints about the decision to broadcast Jerry Springer - The Opera, arguing that its "outstanding artistic significance" outweighed the offence it caused.
But Angela Sarkis, one of the five governors who investigated the television version of the show, said she "profoundly disagreed" with the decision not to uphold the complaints.
The award-winning stage musical based on the US talk show host provoked an outcry, before and after it was broadcast on 8 January on BBC2, with Christian extremists making death threats against the BBC2 controller Roly Keating, forcing him and his family into hiding.
The opera portrays a nappy-wearing Jesus and describes him as "a little bit gay". The BBC governors' programmes complaints committee (GPCC) yesterday published its finding by a majority of four to one that BBC management's decision to broadcast the opera did not breach editorial guidelines.
While the GPCC said the offence, particularly to religious beliefs, should not be underestimated, it added that the BBC had scheduled the programme after the watershed and clearly flagged up its content. "The outstanding artistic significance of the programme outweighed the offence it caused to some," said the GPCC.
The Evangelical Alliance, the Christian group, said it was "deeply disappointed" at the decision and applauded the "courage" of Ms Sarkis. It said: "We reflect the views not only of Christians, but also of many ordinary licence-fee payers who were offended ... They will be bewildered by this decision."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments