B.B.C. probing domination of Bollywood on Asian Network

Prasun Sonwalkar

London, Aug 3 (PTI) The B.B.C. has set up an inquiry
to probe into the allegation that domination of Bollywood
songs on the corporation's Asian Network has led to the
marginalisation of music created by Pakistani and
British-Pakistani artistes.

The inquiry, set up by B.B.C. Director-General Mark
Thompson after Labour peer Lord Ahmed of Rotherham raised the
issue in June, is being conducted by Stephen Whittle, chairman
of the Broadcast Training and Skills Regulator.

Eastern Eye, a leading British Asian newspaper, has
launched an online petition on the alleged marginalisation of
Pakistan-origin music on the network. Over 400 people have so
far signed the petition.

Lord Ahmed said: "The B.B.C. needs to start reflecting
all the communities and be sensitive to all the cultures in
the U.K.

"There seems to be a small mafia that is promoting
their version of a culture which is contrary to the diversity
within the Asian community."

However, a statement from the corporation said: "The
BBC is entirely committed to equal opportunities for all
employees, so we take allegations such as these seriously and
have launched an investigation."

According to B.B.C. Asian Network's service licence,
"the music played [on it] should include a broad range of
south Asian-influenced music, with a particular emphasis on
new and live music and British Asian artists."

A recent catalogue of the BBC Asian Network's last 22
playlists showed that for the week beginning July 21, the
percentage of tracks by artistes of Pakistani descent on the
list was less than two percent, the rest were Bollywood
songs.

In a separate inquiry, the corporation is also looking
into allegations made by some current and former employees
that there is an anti-Muslim bias at the national digital
station when it comes to recruiting and retaining staff and in
its choice of music.

The B.B.C. Asian Network denies such a bias exists and
is cooperating with the inquiry.

A former presenter, who asked not to be named,
reportedly told the inquiry: "I was asked by the investigation
how I could say Pakistani music was consistently ignored.

"I asked them to look at this week’s playlist, where
songs from Pakistan form just two percent of the output.

"Bollywood and British-Asian music is big but there is
a lot of pop and film music from Pakistan that gets no look
in. All that we ask for is an equal platform, no special
favours," he said.