Petition to BBC & UK Parliamentarians
Pakistanis across the globe wrote letters protesting against BBC carrying slanderous narrative against Pakistan's First Lady
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has spent Millions 💰 of UK taxpayers' money to fund the BBC World to tackle harmful disinformation and challenge inaccurate reporting.
https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2021/world-service-funding
However, BBC World(Urdu) is undermining that very purpose by platforming slander and disinformation. This is a significant setback to the said goal and a waste of taxpayers dollars and public money.
❇️ A respectable lady has been relentlessly slandered, falsely accused of being a witch and sorcerer by some misogynistic politicians in Pakistan. Her only fault? She is the wife of Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
📝In an article dated 19-Oct-2021, a journalist who writes regularly for BBC World(Urdu) used the platform to further this slanderous narrative of witchery and sorcery without substantiating the accusations. Slander against any woman under the guise of opinions & insinuations is #absolutelynot acceptable on any BBC Service.
How does this align with BBCs Mission, values and public purposes?
https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/governance/mission
As you can imagine, this erodes trust in the BBC World Service. Many, possibly millions, have perceived this article as slander against the first lady. If this was not the intention, I am sure BBC World(Urdu) can issue a quick clarification.
I am very disappointed that BBC World, a service funded by UK taxpayers, is undermining the very purpose our taxes recently funded it to the tune of 3 million, i.e. to tackle disinformation.
I want to express my strong protest and objection to BBC World through BBC Urdu platforming such a disgusting campaign against a woman.
✔️ Being my representative in Parliament, I would like you to write a letter to the BBC's executive board or any other relevant committees/forums to find out why the BBC has platformed such regrettable insinuations.
❇️I expect you will request an enquiry and publish the findings with me and the public.
❇️Ask the BBC board/relevant forum to ensure steps are taken to avoid a repeat, so people across the globe don't see BBC World Services as a partisan player.
❇️Ask the board/relevant forums/committees what concrete steps they would take to curb disinformation and slander through the BBC World platform.
❇️ Any other steps you deem necessary to right the wrong
Copy:
❇️UK Parliamentarians (Lords)
❇️ BBC Executive Committee Members
❇️ (Others)
The petition was published at https://opvoters.good.do/bbcrespectwomen/Email/