Entertainment
BBC boss defies ‘cancel culture’ and stresses broadcaster won’t ‘play comedy safe’ to avoid causing offence
Tim Davie has spoken out about the future of BBC comedy (Picture: BBC)
BBC director-general Tim Davie revealed he won’t let the broadcaster’s comedy shows be ‘fenced into limited creative spaces’ in order to spare audiences from being offended.
Davie took over from the previous director-general Lord Tony Hall in September 2020 and has been vocal about wanting to continue a drive for impartiality across the network.
But in a recent column in The Daily Telegaph, Davie warned the UK risks developing a climate in which debating issues and sharing views is seen as ‘simply too risky’.
He said: ‘We need to ensure that genres such as comedy are not neutered by a desire to play things safe.’
But he recognised there are clear ‘limits’ and explained: ‘A routine fuelled by gratuitous unpleasantness is unfunny, but we should not be fenced into limited creative spaces where no one can take any offence.’
Davie promised the ‘highest standards of editorial impartiality’ going forward, which he called the BBC’s ‘first priority.’
Norcott appeared on Have I Got News For You earlier this month (Picture: BBC)
Earlier this month, right-wing comedian Geoff Norcott made his debut on Have I Got News For You.
Norcott labels himself as the ‘only declared Conservative comedian’ in the UK and appeared on the panel show on October 15.
It comes after Nadine Dorries was appointed Culture Secretary and previously claimed: ‘Left-wing snowflakes are killing comedy.’
Elsewhere, BBC2 satirical show, The Mash Report, was previously axed amid thoughts it was too one-sided against Brexit and the Conservative Government, with it subsequently being picked up by Dave.
At the time, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘We are very proud of The Mash Report but in order to make room for new comedy shows we sometimes have to make difficult decisions and it won’t be returning.
‘We would like to thank all those involved in four brilliant series and hope to work with Nish Kumar, Rachel Parris and the team in the future.’
Tim Davie said the BBC won’t be ‘playing things safe’ when it comes to comedy (Picture: PA)
In 2020, it was reported Davie was looking to potentially axe some left-wing comedy panel shows after programmes such as Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week received complaints about their jokes against Conservatives and Brexit.
Davie went on to share how he wants the BBC to ‘actively explore different points of view’ and place more focus on its fact-checking and reporting of misinformation.
He said: ‘At the same time, we are announcing significant measures to ensure we review and track our progress.
‘We will fight to ensure there are unbiased, open and transparent spaces in which views can be shared and the facts count.’
More: BBC
Dorries attacked the BBC earlier this month, saying the corporation’s ‘elitist’ approach could mean it no longer existed in 10 years time.
She claimed it was biased and is run by people ‘whose mum and dad worked there’ as she pushed for a discussion to make the BBC more representative of ‘people who pay the licence fee.’
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