Further
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ press statement on Kilroy/Sunday Express article
The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is currently considering the implications of an article
written by Robert Kilroy-Silk which was published in the Sunday
Express on 4 January 2004 and which has caused significant and serious
offence.Ìý
Ìý
In view of some newspaper coverage we would like to make it clear
that the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ defends and supports freedom of speech. This has never
been about freedom of speech. It is about how the job of a ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ presenter
carries with it responsibilities about what is written and said
publicly and how this may impact on their on-air role.
The
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ needs to be seen to be impartial when dealing with topical and
controversial issues.
The
key focus for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is, given the views he has stated, whether
Robert Kilroy-Silk can be seen as a suitable presenter of a daily
discussion programme dealing with a range of current and controversial
issues, with an audience from a wide cross-section of the public.
