A little while back I blogged about the BBC headline on their World service’s Africa ‘Have your Say’ debate – where it seemed that they thought that gay executions was an appropriate subject to be debated. I received the following from their Public Affairs Coordinator after kicking up about this.

Dear Ms Featherstone,
Having noted your comments about BBC World Service’s Africa Have Your Say debate, I thought you should be aware of an interview that was held with our Director, Peter Horrocks, on Newshour yesterday, in which he apologies for any offence caused. This, along with comments from Peter and others in the Editors’ blog (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/), gives an update and further background on the Africa Have Your Say debate:

I hope that this helps to address your concerns. However, if you would like to meet with our Head of Africa and Middle East region to discuss further, please let me know and we will be very happy to arrange a meeting.
Best wishes,
Edward
Edward Teather
Public Affairs Coordinator, BBC World Service

I have responded saying that I don’t think I need to meet with them as they appear to have learned their lesson – the hard way! And I don’t believe the intent was malevolent – just hugely inept.