BBC Complaints,
PO Box 1922,
Glasgow
G2 3WT

7th September 2005

Dear Sirs,

On Sunday 21st August 2005, BBC1 broadcast a controversial episode of its current affairs Panorama programme. It was presented by John Ware and was called 'A Question of Leadership'.

On the Panorama website it lists viewer comments about the programme and says that:

'The views expressed on these pages are not necessarily the views of the BBC. The e-mails published will be reflective of the balance of opinion received.'
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/4162514.stm)

An analysis of the viewer comments published on the Panorama website shows the following:
Supportive of Panorama: 27
Against Panorama: 28
Neutral: 9

The Panorama website does not say how many comments were received. However, at a different section of the BBC website we are told that:

'Audience reaction to the show has been mixed. More than 640 people have contacted the BBC to complain that the programme portrayed Muslims and the Islamic faith in a negative light.

However, nearly 100 people have been in touch to say the programme was excellent and NewsWatch has received emails praising the show.'
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/newsid_4160000/newsid_4162000/4162038.stm)

If the above information is accurate then it would seem that the Panorama website has not been 'reflective of the balance of opinion received.' Please could you look into this matter and apprise us of your findings. Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Inayat Bunglawala.
Secretary,
Media Committee,
The Muslim Council of Britain

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