The BBC is facing a social media backlash due to its choice of one particular Question Time panellist

The BBC is facing a backlash on social media over its decision to invite Piers Morgan onto Question Time on 12 July:
What a week in politics… and on the day @realDonaldTrump arrives in the UK, his friend @piersmorgan is back on the #bbcqt panel (1/5) pic.twitter.com/O4ioHJUVBB
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) July 12, 2018
A bully
The general reaction to Morgan’s appearance is one of disgust:
Read on...
he is just Yuck
— UpNorthSense (@UpNorthSense) July 12, 2018
— Jill Ashley-Jones (@JillAshleyJone1) July 12, 2018
Yet people’s personal feelings towards Morgan are not the main reason the BBC is receiving such a heavy backlash. Question Time is a debate, and a debate requires panellists to listen to each other’s opinions before offering their take on the particular subject.
The fact is that many people feel Morgan is incapable of doing this:
No point in having a panel as piers will talk over them and bully them as normal
— john howlett.EFC (@johnhowlett4) July 12, 2018
Excellent, we get to listen to this nobody shout down everything and everyone with his ‘shock jock’ nonsense. #thanksforthewarning
— Malc Haines (@Ramageland) July 12, 2018
And his bullish arrogance means people feel he will bring nothing to the table:
This guy should be banned in all media. It is strictly idiotic and arrogant. Does not contribute to anything interesting. Should be forgotten. Please do not forget that arrogance is always a consequence of ignorance!
— Andrea (@Campanini_uk) July 12, 2018
His reputation precedes him
People’s accusations are based on the fact that Morgan continually stoops to using personal attacks in debates. On the morning of 12 July, for example, Morgan attacked journalist Ash Sarkar in a debate about protesting the visit of US president Donald Trump:
In an extremely fiery debate, we discuss the thousands of people who are expected to protest against President Trump… @piersmorgan @susannareid100 pic.twitter.com/KXS1UiW9fg
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 12, 2018
As The Canary reported, Morgan continually talked over and attacked Sarkar, pursuing the tired argument that if you don’t protest one thing it’s hypocritical to protest another. He then falsely stated that her “hero” was Barack Obama, leading Sarkar (not a supporter of Obama’s political ideology) to label him an “idiot”.
This supposed interview seems to confirm the Question Time audience’s fears:
Interview? That was just Piers Morgan talking over someone.
— Paul Terrifier-man #FBPE (@drpaulitious) July 12, 2018
And the Sarkar interview is not a one-off. Morgan recently compared vegans to terrorists in an interview with veganism campaigner Joey Carbstrong:
Analysing the interview in The Canary, Sam Woolfe wrote:
During this debate, Morgan disapproved of vegans using inflammatory language, like ‘meat is murder’, but then compared vegans to terrorists. Morgan said, of course, he is against animal cruelty. But rather than taking a hard look at the ethical issues associated with dairy production, he resorted to personal attacks.
Regardless of Carbstrong’s past, Morgan showed that he didn’t have a leg to stand on.
He who should not be welcomed
The BBC has clearly invited Morgan on because of his close relationship with Donald Trump. Morgan ‘bagged‘ the first international TV interview with Trump. But many don’t see this as a good thing:
'Bagging an interview' usually implies some kind of cleverness. These two like each other because they are similarly bigoted and smarmy. And being a 'columnist for Mail Online' is something to be ashamed of. #bbcqt disappointed in you.
— Anita Chiquita (@tiddleypom) July 12, 2018
And the thought of him eulogising over Trump is a horrible idea for some:
Pierced Organ sycophanticly eulogising over the tangerine sex offender?
Really?
I'd rather watch an ancient incontinent mongrel bark at it's own farts!#FuckYouMrPresident— #CoalisDeadCymru (@judas_twit) July 12, 2018
But the real danger is that anti-Trump voices will be drowned out by Morgan’s bullying tactics:
Judging by the Sarkar interview this morning Morgan is just going to attack and talk over anyone who criticises Trump. Expect a lot of people to be shouting at the TV.
— Nye Jones (@nyejones92) July 12, 2018
It’s no wonder people are calling for a Question Time boycott:
Oh for fuck's sake! There are so any political commentators out there begging to get facts across to an eager viewership -but no, still, you KEEP feeding us the same wankers. No more. Telly watchers of Britain, I implore you, for your own sanity, boycott @bbcquestiontime
— Keith Randall 2018, Official Year of Hope FBPE (@KeithRandall10) July 12, 2018
Spoilsport
Question Time is a debate. Its role is to give the public different opinions on important issues, allowing people to make up their mind on where they stand.
Yet Morgan has continually shown that he is incapable of debating with people fairly and instead resorts to personal attacks and talking over people. The thought of him not allowing anyone to criticise Trump is sickening.
No wonder the BBC is facing a social media backlash.
Get Involved!
– Join us, so we can keep bringing you the news that matters.
Featured image via YouTube
We need your help to keep speaking the truth
Every story that you have come to us with; each injustice you have asked us to investigate; every campaign we have fought; each of your unheard voices we amplified; we do this for you. We are making a difference on your behalf.
Our fight is your fight. You’ve supported our collective struggle every time you gave us a like; and every time you shared our work across social media. Now we need you to support us with a monthly donation.
We have published nearly 2,000 articles and over 50 films in 2021. And we want to do this and more in 2022 but we don’t have enough money to go on at this pace. So, if you value our work and want us to continue then please join us and be part of The Canary family.
In return, you get:
* Advert free reading experience
* Quarterly group video call with the Editor-in-Chief
* Behind the scenes monthly e-newsletter
* 20% discount in our shop
Almost all of our spending goes to the people who make The Canary’s content. So your contribution directly supports our writers and enables us to continue to do what we do: speaking truth, powered by you. We have weathered many attempts to shut us down and silence our vital opposition to an increasingly fascist government and right-wing mainstream media.
With your help we can continue:
* Holding political and state power to account
* Advocating for the people the system marginalises
* Being a media outlet that upholds the highest standards
* Campaigning on the issues others won’t
* Putting your lives central to everything we do
We are a drop of truth in an ocean of deceit. But we can’t do this without your support. So please, can you help us continue the fight?