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  Question Time draws almost 8m viewers |
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 | Reported by guardian.co.uk
on Friday, 23 October 2009
(on October 23, 2009) |
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British National party leader Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time gave it nearly three times its normal audienceThe British National party leader Nick Griffin's controversial appearance on Question Time last night brought almost 8 million viewers to the show - nearly three times its normal audience.Question Time, filmed late yesterday amid chaotic scenes outside BBC Television Centre after anti-fascist demonstrators broke through a police cordon and briefly gained entry to the building, was watched by 7.9 million viewers - half the total TV audience when the show was aired over an hour from 10.35pm.The week's news agenda has been dominated by Griffin's appearance on the show and will be seen by the BBC as vindication of its controversial decision to invite the BNP leader to appear.However, critics of the decision will use the viewing figures to back their argument that the BBC is just chasing ratings.Mark Byford, deputy director general of the BBC, said.
"This very large audience clearly demonstrates the public's interest in seeing elected politicians being scrutinised by the public themselves."The agenda of the programme was set by the audience's own questions.
The BBC is firm in its belief that it was appropriate for Mr Griffin to appear as a member of the panel and the BBC fulfilled its duty to uphold due impartiality by inviting him on the programme."A month ago, the flagship BBC1 current affairs discussion programme's 30th anniversary edition attracted 2.5 million viewers and a 21% audience share, for a panel featuring the Labour deputy leader, Harriet Harman, and broadcast from the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth.When Question Time was moved to an earlier 9pm slot in May during the MPs' expenses scandal, a panel including Martin Bell, Ben Bradshaw and William Hague had 3.7 million viewers and a 17% share.The week before, in its normal later slot, the show was watched by 3.8 million viewers - 30% of the TV audience - on an evening when government minister Margaret Beckett was shouted down by members of the studio audience over MPs' expenses.
This was believed to be Question Time's biggest audience for almost a decade.More details soon...• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857.
For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.• If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
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