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Bobby Friction gets reminder of responsibilities from BBC for using offensive term about Sikhs

August 17, 2015 | By Parmjeet Singh

London, UK: In response to a letter written by Jasvinder Singh of Dal Khalsa UK, BBC Asian Network’s head of programming Mark Stripple has said that BBC has discussed the issue of presenter Bobby Friction’s offensive comment terming Sikh as “Sikh Talibans” with him and reminded him of his responsibilities as a BBC presenter. Mark said that “The views expressed by Bobby are his own, took place on his personal social media account and are not overseen by the BBC. They were not broadcast on the BBC Asian Network”.

Full text of Mark Stripple’s letter reads as follows:

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Dear Jasvinder,

Thank you for your email pertaining to comments made by Bobby Friction in relation to events at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Southall recently. We note the concerns raised by your organisation and others around those comments.

The views expressed by Bobby are his own, took place on his personal social media account and are not overseen by the BBC. They were not broadcast on the BBC Asian Network.

We have, however, discussed these comments with Bobby and reminded him of his responsibilities as a BBC presenter. He has issued a statement in which he has apologised unreservedly for his choice of words and for the offence caused.

It’s worth highlighting here, and you may already be aware, that BBC Asian Network broadcast a phone-in discussion on this particular topic on our Nihal programme on Thursday 13th August in which a range of opinions were discussed.

This is the link for the benefit of your members and anyone interested in hearing our most recent editorial coverage of this complex issue: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b064k83h

Yours sincerely,

Mark

Mark Strippel
Head of Programmes
BBC Asian Network

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RELATED:

Dal Khalsa UK writes to BBC’s Mark Strippel over Bobby Friction’s offensive comments

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Related Topics: Bobby Friction Controversy, Sikhs in United Kingdom

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