BBC In Transphobia Controversy

The news organization has been highlighted by ILGA Europe’s Annual Review for transphobic actions.

POSTED BY AMELIA REYNOLDS

The BBC has been flagged in ILGA Europe’s latest annual review (2022) for harmful reporting on transgender people. 

The news organization found itself in hot water last year after they produced a podcast criticizing Stonewall activists. The series was met with outrage and contributed to the long list of controversies the BBC has had with its LGBT relations. 

ILGA Europe’s report highlights a protest that took place outside the BBC in November of last year after the organization’s publication of transphobic articles.  

Former LGBT correspondent for the BBC, Ben Hunte, has also collaborated with the ILGA to discuss the problems surrounding LGBT representation in the media. He left the BBC in 2021 after two years in the role, during which he reports, he was targeted with homophobic abuse. 

The continued publications of transphobic articles by the BBC motivated the resignation of many LGBT employees. When the organization also ignored complaints about Stephen Nolan’s Stonewall podcast, another wave of LGBT staff left. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ben Hunte (@beninldn)

The release of ILGA’s report has prompted a public discussion on the ethical standards maintained by the BBC. A representative for the BBC spoke to the Gay Times, stating that they ‘reject this characterization of our coverage’. 

In light of the public outrage at the BBC, news outlets are being put under scrutiny to ensure that their reporting on and treatment of transgender people is up to par. 

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