BBC slammed for doing propaganda work for Pakistan during interview with scholar Christine Fair

By Asianet Newsable English | First Published Sep 6, 2021, 11:14 AM IST

British television network BBC is facing flak over its alleged endorsement of Pakistan and behaving like a spokesperson for the country while cutting off a renowned expert for busting the myths that Islamabad has been peddling with regard to its role in the Afghanistan crisis.

Sharing her viewpoint with BBC World, Christine Fair, a noted scholar of South Asian political and military affairs, said that Pakistan has in the last 20 years objected to the creation of a stable government in Afghanistan that is opposed to Pakistan and favourable towards India.

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But before she could complete her point, the anchor is seen in the clip -- now-viral -- interjecting and asking how an unstable Afghanistan would be in Pakistan's interest because that would mean more refugees flowing into Pakistan.

Christine dismissed this as another myth that Pakistan had been very good at peddling.

She said that more than anything, Islamabad wants an instability that it can manage.

The American expert also believed that Pakistan would project itself as a fire brigade when in reality it was it was the arsonist.

To this, the BBC anchor responded saying that Pakistan, of course, "would absolutely deny that."

Christine was stopped mid-way once again moments later when she reiterated something that had been recognised world-over about Pakistan being the "virtual petting zoos of terror".

Shockingly, the BBC world anchor was heard saying that Pakistan has firmly denied that they have created the Taliban, went on to cut off the conversation stating that she had given Christine space to share her views.

Before the interview snaps off, Christine is heard telling the BBC World anchor that the channel was indulging in dong propaganda work for Pakistan.

'Sounds like a spokesperson for Pakistan'

The interview clip was shared widely on social media, and most of the remarks have condemned the manner in which a dismissive narrative was peddled by the BBC.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Twitter, "This is precisely the problem with Western journalistic 'even-handedness'."

This is precisely the problem with Western journalistic “even-handedness“. In fact Pakistan does not deny creating the Taliban, but is so anxious to appear balanced that it falls over on the other side of accuracy. ’s point is accepted by almost everyone. https://t.co/0WkKnCxtma

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor)

Asserting that Pakistan never denied creating the Taliban, Tharoor said that the BBC World anchor was so anxious to appear balanced that it fell over on the other side of accuracy.

Christine Fair's point is accepted by almost everyone, he added.

Others termed the interview conducted by Philippa Thomas as entirely unprofessional and condescending.

3. said she was providing a forum to air her views. So unprofessional and condescending! No, you invited Fair because her scholarship is known. One may substantively disagree with her, or her manner of expression, but she does not need .(n/n)

— Ashutosh Varshney (@ProfVarshney)

Even Afghanistan's ambassador to Sri Lanka M Ashraf Haidari slammed the BBC, asking the anchor to learn the basics of balanced and unbiased journalism.

can help hold a week-long training workshop for folks like to learn the basics of balanced and unbiased journalism. is an eminent South Asia scholar, who simply analyzed policy adventures with implications like 9/11. https://t.co/3XT2brjyG4

— Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari (@MAshrafHaidari)

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