One of the BBC’s veteran broadcasters claimed that freedom of speech was’seriously threatened’ by them.
Michael Buerk presented Radio 4’s The Moral Maze for over 30 years and claimed that the Corporation was being influenced by ‘woke ideologies’.
The Radio Times’ former newsreader, Tomasz Kowalski, warned Radio 4 that its ‘hopeless desire to connect with the yoofs’ and increasingly awake’ editorial decisions put them at odds with their Middle England listeners.
Buerk now hosts the Live Discussion Show about Ethical Issues. He blames social media platforms like Twitter for poisoning public discussion and encouraging people to view those who disagree with him as evil.
The 75 year-old acknowledged that The Moral Maze was a great show and praised BBC. However, he expressed concern about how the BBC will continue to support it.
‘In the wider world – and, it has to be said, in some parts of the BBC – more and more is being put off limits, things that cannot possibly be said, new orthodoxies that are beyond challenge,’ he wrote.
“I think freedom to speak is under serious threat.”
Michael Buerk, a veteran broadcaster has warned that the BBC’s freedom to speak is at risk as they fall prey of ‘woke” ideology.
Buerk said Radio 4’s ‘hopeless desire to connect with the yoof’ and ‘increasingly wakeful’ editorial choices were at odds with Middle England listeners
Buerk said that he used to be proud of the programme’s ability to ”the impossible gets said’. The audience was mature and did not need to be protected from any views that might offend them. There were no restrictions.
The arguments were not conceived or planned, nor choreographed. They didn’t require censoring since the entire point of the program was to destroy them. It survived, and even thrives modestly, in spite of the turbulent times.
‘I won’t say we don’t feel it on The Moral Maze… Maybe we’re a bit less abrasive than we used to be. Radio 4 top execs, to their credit have managed to maintain their nerve. Although I admire them for their courage, sometimes it makes me wonder if that will continue.
He took a sharp dig at Radio 4 and said: “Half of the audience might feel like drowning in their cornflakes following a Today program, but touch one hair (yes, it’s all right but you get what I’m saying) and the whole world would collapse in.
An ex-newsreader claimed that social media websites such as Twitter poison public discourse and encourage people to view those who disagree with them as evil.
Buerk spent over five decades with the BBC. After Sky News’ Adam Boulton, Sky News’ anchor announced that he would be leaving the station due to ‘past its sell-by’ date, Buerk said there was “nervousness” among veteran broadcasters.
He would have continued to grow into his 80s if he had known how time worked. However, times are changing. He explained that the items he had ticked were now labeled ”privilege’ and that his old guard will be replaced by one which is more conspicuously uniform.
The Moral Maze, which first broadcast in 1990, has a format that involves four panellists – famously controversial historian David Starkey – discussing a topical issue while interrogating experts on the subject matter.
This week, the programme was returned to Radio 4 after previous episodes dealt with issues such as swearing and taxation.
Radio 4 spokesmen told The Times they are proud of their extensive range of programming that is both rigorous and interesting. It caters to and represents a greater number of listeners.