BBC Guidelines: ‘Mohammed Must Not be Depicted’

On last night’s BBC Question Time, presenter David Dimbleby read out the BBC’s editorial guidelines on depicting Mohammed, which confirm the Muslim prophet should never be shown.

Following a debate on the Paris shootings and whether media outlets should show the Charlie Hebdo cartoons, Dimbleby said: “I wouldn’t be doing my duty if I didn’t read this out from BBC editorial guidelines.”

He continued: “The prophet Mohammed must not be represented in any shape or form.”

Broadcaster and columnist Julia Hartley-Brewer responded: “I think that’s absolutely outrageous.”

UPDATE:

The Guido Fawkes blog reports that the BBC have denied this is their current policy:

“This guidance is old, out of date and does not reflect the BBC’s long-standing position that programme makers have freedom to exercise their editorial judgement with the Editorial Policy team available to provide advice around sensitive issues on a case by case basis. The guidance is currently being revised.”