The highly anticipated documentary BBC On Trial, by author and scholar Pandit Satish K Sharma, is slated for release on 25 October 2024. The first poster for the documentary, which aims to reveal alleged biases within the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), was unveiled, with the trailer released on 13 October 2024. The film promises to expose what Sharma describes as the BBC’s divisive and prejudiced reporting, particularly against India and Hindus.
TRAILER⚡️Disinformation can be a weapon of mass destruction; Our documentary exposes the dark side of one of the most powerful players in this space, the BBC. At the end of this journey, you decide for yourself – good or evil? Watch the trailer, spread the word, join the… pic.twitter.com/MthTd0WI7c
— Pt Satish K Sharma MBCS FRSA FRAS (@thebritishhindu) October 13, 2024
As stated by the makers, BBC On Trial is going to be “the most eye-opening documentary of our time,” delving into a century of alleged Western media bias that Sharma argues perpetuates colonial attitudes. Known for his work in dharmic traditions and as the director of the Global Hindu Federation, Sharma is using the documentary to highlight perceived injustices in the BBC’s coverage of Hindu and Indian subjects.
In a recent statement, Sharma shared that his interactions with BBC leadership over the past decade, including presenting evidence to senior figures, have yielded little change. “We are a very quiet community in the United Kingdom. Hindu community doesn’t cause much of a conflict or trouble, but on numerous occasions, we have found that we became the target… I was fortunate enough to be able to interact with the BBC at the highest levels, including the director, general heads of all the departments. We presented our evidence to them but achieve nothing whatsoever in the last eight or nine years of interacting with them. We haven’t been able to successfully get to change, not even a single webpage which is published on the website,” Sharma said in an interview with Republic.
The documentary seeks to go beyond merely highlighting instances of bias, aiming to foster informed conversations on media integrity and encourage a more balanced representation of cultural and religious issues. Sharma argues that the BBC’s influence extends beyond informing the public, asserting that its coverage shapes narratives in ways that fuel division and discord among communities.
The documentary is also expected to touch on calls for defunding the BBC and reconsidering the license fee model, advocating for a media landscape that values accuracy, diversity, and fair representation. By offering an in-depth analysis, BBC On Trial aims to push for greater accountability and open dialogue on media practices.
The Global Hindu Federation, under Sharma’s leadership, continues to work on initiatives to ensure that the Hindu diaspora’s perspectives are accurately represented. The organization has been actively engaging with policymakers, gathering evidence, and collaborating with experts to address issues impacting the global Hindu community.
BBC On Trial will be available for viewing from 25 October 2024, with hopes of sparking a broader debate about the role of media in shaping social narratives and its responsibilities toward diverse communities.
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