In January last year, an investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches programme claimed to have discovered "an ideology of bigotry and intolerance" being preached at several mosques in Birmingham.
News: Channel 4 wins Muslim 'preachers of hate' case
Among the comments made by imams during the film, Undercover Mosque, were: "Take that homosexual man and throw him off the mountain", and "We hate the kuffar" (a derogatory term for non-Muslims). West Midlands constabulary investigated but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges for a breach of public order.
Astonishingly, the police then asked the CPS to consider whether a prosecution could be brought against Channel 4 for broadcasting a programme including material likely to stir up racial hatred. When that was ruled out, the police and the CPS reported the programme makers to Ofcom, the TV regulator, alleging "complete distortion" in the way the programme had been edited.
Undercover Mosque became embroiled in the wider "fake TV" controversy before Ofcom concluded it was "a legitimate investigation, uncovering matters of important public interest".
Now, because they refused to withdraw their allegations, the police and the CPS - in other words, the taxpayer - have been required to pay a six-figure sum in libel damages to compensate Dispatches. It is a welcome vindication for Channel 4 at the conclusion of a very sorry episode.
The police maintained that the documentary "had an impact in the community and the cohesion within it". But the real damage is being caused by the separatist political ideology preached by extremists. It is not for the police to traduce those seeking to expose it on the spurious grounds of maintaining community harmony.
We trust there will be no further attempts to close down legitimate journalistic investigation in order to appease those who perpetuate division in our society.
No comments:
Post a Comment