BBC reporter fired for calling Arabs “suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors”

Robert Kilroy-Silk, who’s hosted a BBC talk show for 17 years, was forced out for writing a “vitriolic” attack on Arabs, referring to them as “”suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors.”

Could the BBC be guilty of double standards? You decide.

Mr Kilroy-Silk drew comparisons with his treatment and the BBC’s continued use of Tom Paulin, an Oxford don and poet who was still allowed on the BBC Newsnight Review programme even though he had likened Jewish settlers to “Nazis” and called for them to be “shot dead”.

“I know that the BBC says that the Paulin issue is different because he is a contributor and I am a presenter. They said as much to me in the meeting on Friday. I can see there is a distinction but I do not think it is a very important one.”

Andrew Sullivan is always accusing the BBC of anti-Semitism and a blatant love of the Palestinians no matter what they do. I think he may have a point.

The Discussion: 4 Comments

MAY have a point? It’s time you sign up for Honest Reporting to read the double-standard in the world’s press.

January 20, 2004 @ 3:24 am | Comment

I was trying to be subtle.

January 20, 2004 @ 7:16 am | Comment

my comment is very simple and not very pollitical but i strongley believe that he shouldnt of been sacked, i am not racist and nor is he but i agree totally with what he said, britain is scared of the word racist and has fogotten what it actually means its used to freely to dispose of a problem.

January 20, 2004 @ 7:20 am | Comment

Julie, I am certainly with you. It smacks of double standards, and underscores the BBC’s infamous prejudices.

January 22, 2004 @ 9:04 pm | Comment

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