BBC Asian Network Apologises After Asking 'What Is The Right Punishment For Blasphemy?'

'Are you serious?'

The BBC has apologised after asking “what is the right punishment for blasphemy?” was on its Asian Network account.

The question posed was designed to promote a debate about Pakistan’s crackdown on blasphemy on social media.

Presenter Shazia Awan asked viewers whether they agreed with Pakistan’s actions and asked what was “the right way to handle blasphemy”.

What is the right punishment for blasphemy?

Tweet @ShaziaAwan with what you think using the hashtag #AsianNetwork pic.twitter.com/HVAKQrdhBr

— BBC Asian Network (@bbcasiannetwork) March 17, 2017

The question prompted outrage, with many comparing such violations of freedom of speech to other forms of control in oppressive states.

@bbcasiannetwork next up: How many lashes should rape victims get for committing adultery?

— Berty Fish (@bertyfish) March 18, 2017

Disgraceful that @bbcasiannetwork @ShaziaAwan would ask what 'punishment' should be for blasphemy. You know people get killed for it.

— Maryam Namazie (@MaryamNamazie) March 17, 2017

#whatstherightpunishment for driving whilst female? @bbcasiannetwork @ShaziaAwan want to know!

— Maryam Namazie (@MaryamNamazie) March 17, 2017

Others pointed out that blasphemy was “not a crime”.

@bbcasiannetwork @ShaziaAwan #AsianNetwork no punishment. ever. blasphemy is totally victimless, it's not a crime.

— Dan Arel 🏴 (@danarel) March 17, 2017

While some objected to licence fee money going towards such debates.

@bbcasiannetwork @ShaziaAwan Are you serious? You're funded by British licence payers who cherish freedom of speech.

— Jeffrey Peel (@JeffreyPeel) March 18, 2017

@bbcasiannetwork there are no blasphemy laws in the UK. There should be no punishment for blasphemy. Ridiculous use of licence fee.

— BRIT POLITICS (@britology_) March 18, 2017

The BBC Asian Network later tweeted an apology, saying they “never intended to imply blasphemy should be punished”, adding that they “got it wrong”.

Apologies for poorly worded question from #AsianNetwork yday. Q was in context of Pak asking FB to help we shd have made that clear 1/2

— BBC Asian Network (@bbcasiannetwork) March 18, 2017

We never intend to imply Blasphemy should be punished. Provocative question that got it wrong 2/2

— BBC Asian Network (@bbcasiannetwork) March 18, 2017

A BBC spokesperson added: “Asian Network’s Big Debate asks difficult and provocative questions every day.

“This programme was an engaging discussion on the subject of blasphemy, but we admit that the question could have been phrased better, as we have since made clear.”

This week Pakistan said it has asked Facebook to help investigate “blasphemous content” posted on the social network.

Facebook has agreed to send staff to Pakistan to address reservations about content on the social media site, the BBC reports.

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