The Hindu : International : BBC "planted'' hecklers in poll campaign

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Monday, Apr 25, 2005

International

International

BBC "planted'' hecklers in poll campaign

Hasan Suroor

Corporation denies the charge

LONDON: The BBC was on Sunday, unwittingly, dragged into the heat of the British general election campaign after being accused of planting hecklers at a meeting addressed by the Conservative Party leader, Michael Howard.

The Corporation, which is forever struggling to remain above the fray, acknowledged that hecklers were filmed as part of a programme called The History of Heckling but insisted that they were "not under the direction of the BBC and their activities did not disrupt the meeting in any way.''

It said meetings of other political parties were also being "observed'' for the programme to be aired on BBC Three, but promised to investigate "very fully'' the incident at which three hecklers, allegedly using microphones provided by the BBC staff, shouted slogans calling Mr. Howard a "liar.''

Conservatives, however, reacted with fury and demanded an apology from the BBC accusing it of being in breach of its guidelines which demanded the "highest editorial and ethical standards from the BBC.''

In a letter to the BBC's director news, Helen Boaden, the Conservative Party's head of communications Guy Black said it was a "pre-meditated event intended to disrupt the course of Mr. Howard's speech'', and to "dramatise'' coverage.

Mr. Black claimed that one of the hecklers was also seen at another party meeting later.

He sought an assurance from the BBC that the footage of the incident would not be telecast.

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