BBC news website asks users: 'Should homosexuals face execution?'Talkboard post seeks readers' views ahead of interactive World Service programme Africa Have Your Say
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Stephen Brook guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 December 2009 17.00 GMT Article history
The BBC's Have Your Say talkboard

The BBC today asked users of its news website "Should homosexuals face execution?" on a talkboard discussion for a World Service programme for African listeners.

Posted on a BBC News premoderated talkboard, the thread was designed to provoke discussion ahead of the latest edition of interactive World Service programme Africa Have Your Say.

"Yes, we accept it is a stark and disturbing question, but this is the reality behind an anti-homosexuality bill being debated on Friday by the Ugandan parliament which would see some homosexual offences punishable by death," the post said.

The talkboard post asked users to send in their views to the programme, which goes out on the World Service and is also available online.

"Has Uganda gone too far? Should there be any level of legislation against homosexuality? Should homosexuals be protected by legislation as they are in South Africa? What would be the consequences of this bill to you? How will homosexual 'offences' be monitored?," the post added.

Premoderated posts included one from Chris, Guildford, posted at 8.59am, which attracted 51 recommendations of support. He wrote: "Totally agree. Ought to be imposed in the UK too, asap. Bring back some respectable family values. Why do we have to suffer 'gay pride' festivals? Would I be allowed to organise a 'straight pride' festival? No, thought as much!! If homosexuality is natural, as we are forced to believe, how can they sustain the species? I suggest all gays are put on a remote island somewhere and left for a generation - after which, theoretically there should be none left!"

Another, from Aaron in Freetown, said: "Bravo to the Ugandans for this wise decision, a bright step in eliminating this menace from your society. We hope other African nations will also follow your bold step."

The Africa Have Your Say programme aired at 4pm today. By 5.30pm, the headline of the discussion had been changed to "Should Uganda debate gay execution?".

Liliane Landor, the BBC World Service acting head of Africa region, defended the radio programme and talkboard post, saying it allowed gay men and lesbians from Uganda, whose voices have never been heard in the UK, to talk with dignity about the impact the legislation would have on their lives.

The show also included the opinion of those who supported the anti-homosexual legislation, including religious leaders, she said. "The programme was a dignified exchange between people who have differing beliefs," Landor added.

Landor said that the World Service realised that the headline on the talkboard was blunt, but it was carefully put in context. "We wanted to frame the question starkly, in order to reflect the stark reality of the Ugandan bill," she added.

The BBC Pride board, composed of gay and lesbian staff at the corporation, lobbied the World Service to change the headline and close discussion "to minimise negative reflection on the BBC".

Eric Joyce, the Labour MP for Falkirk, labelled the post "more than offensive". "It's completely unacceptable. And it's mainly British people replying," he said on Twitter.

The talkboard post is understood to have been written by a female member of the BBC World Service Africa bureau.

The World Service, which broadcasts in 32 languages on TV, radio and the web, is part of BBC Global News, but funded by the Foreign Office

I wonder how long till views like the ones above become extinct

EDIT: forgot link http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009...-have-your-say

gives us the link bro

those views will never die cause islam can never die

This is a joke, but one of the worst kind, the kind that costs lives. One day, maybe one day, the world will be a place where all human beings are free and equal. But this latest news from Uganda only proves that day is rather a long way away.

Originally Posted by Abdullahii

gives us the link bro

Its real, google it.

you know, it's interesting. up until 1861 In England and Australia, the punishment for sodomy was actually the death penalty.

Originally Posted by Umm ul-Shaheed

you know, it's interesting. up until 1861 In England and Australia, the punishment for sodomy was actually the death penalty.

Do you think homosexuality ought to be punishable by death in a secular democracy?

it's funny how people's perception of whether or not something is acceptable in society or not changes through out time.

how do we truly determine if something is acceptable if our mentality changes from time frames. I mean alot of us have been exposed to mental conditioning via the media and we're unaware of it, it happens every day infront of a square box.

interesting how media has influenced society, if only I could get control of the media and broadcast the kind of messages that I agree with

our mentality and thinking is simply a result of the society and time frame we live in righht?

Originally Posted by KittenLover

it's funny how people's perception of whether or not something is acceptable in society or not changes through out time.

how do we truly determine if something is acceptable if our mentality changes from time frames. I mean alot of us have been exposed to mental conditioning via the media and we're unaware of it, it happens every day infront of a square box.

interesting how media has influenced society, if only I could get control of the media and broadcast the kind of messages that I agree with

True, I've never thought of it that way. Sooner or later the media will flush all morals out of society, there will be almost nothing let that won't be acceptable and as a member above put it - human beings will be 'free and equal' to do whatever they want

Originally Posted by Supreme

This is a joke, but one of the worst kind, the kind that costs lives. One day, maybe one day, the world will be a place where all human beings are free and equal. But this latest news from Uganda only proves that day is rather a long way away.

A nation, with a certain majority, has a right to shun what they deem inappropriate from the minority. Seems Ugandan majority decided that this minority view cannot be accepted. It does not mean that minority view must be given equal status as the majority view, that would take the whole meaning out of having majority and minority positions in the first place.

Gays have a place to live in Islamic environment as long as they keep it a secret and dont spread their ill practices and are not caught committing sodomy. A bit hard price to pay but that is how the majority of Muslims have decided to implement in their society.

Originally Posted by Wa7abiScientist

A nation, with a certain majority, has a right to shun what they deem inappropriate from the minority. Seems Ugandan majority decided that this minority view cannot be accepted. It does not mean that minority view must be given equal status as the majority view, that would take the whole meaning out of having majority and minority positions in the first place.

Gays have a place to live in Islamic environment as long as they keep it a secret and dont spread their ill practices and are not caught committing sodomy. A bit hard price to pay but that is how the majority of Muslims have decided to implement in their society.

We're not talking about a Muslim society, we're talking about a Christian one, because Uganda is a Christian country. Therefore I am ashamed such laws are being considered by my fellow Christians. I suppose 'thou shalt not kill' bears no weight in Uganda.

I am always amazed by the fact that so many people seem to think that simply because they disapprove of something, that it should be made illegal or even punishable by, say, death.

Maybe I should start advocating the death penalty myself for action I disapprove of, like say, eating meat or using loud motorcycles ;). All I need is my very own tyrannical majority and apparently I'd be all set! :P

i think the modern philosophy is "if it doesnt hurt anyone then its acceptable", i guess so far it seems to be working for them... but dont be fooled, this curtain of liberty is needed to hide their true evil.

Allah gives them enjoyment in this life, we as muslims cannot dictate our views of morality, we hear and obey. for some, atheists in particular, this can be a very difficult and frustating thing to comprehend.

Originally Posted by tango92

i think the modern philosophy is "if it doesnt hurt anyone then its acceptable", i guess so far it seems to be working for them... but dont be fooled, this curtain of liberty is needed to hide their true evil.

Who's 'true evil'? Of non-Muslims?