BBC staff spoof video

CAABU Director, Chris Doyle, was interviewed on LBC Radio and in the Daily Mail on 12 September 2006 about a BBC staff spoof video. It was made to mark the departure of a BBC news editor for the Arabic satellite news channel, Al-Jazeera. The video featured BBC journalists as a leaving joke signing a version of Peter Kaye's "Is this the way to Amarillo?" entitled "Is this the way to Al Jazeera?"

On LBC Doyle stated that it was important that we maintain a sense of humour and that Arabs themselves were well known for theirs.

However whilst it was clearly a joke and light--hearted there were elements that could give offence. In particular he highlighted the backdrop of American tanks and mortars shelling Iraq which he said risked making fun of a very serious war. He also stated that Arabs were tired of the one-dimensional stereotypes of camels, fat sleazy oil shaikhs, and violent Arabs.

In the Daily Mail, Doyle was quoted as saying: "Arabs are fed up with being stereotyped in terms of camels and having lots of money and they will not be happy to see a celebration of American tanks firing on Iraq and making fun of their deaths.

"It is not something that one would expect from an employee of a respectable news organisation like the BBC.

He added that "There is an enduring stereotype that Arabs are sleazy. The region tends to be seen in terms of bombs and bullets - this is a completely one-dimensional view that is just not correct."

Nigal Evans MP was also quoted:

Conservative MP Nigel Evans, a member of the Commons Media Select Committee, said: "We just had the largest number of deaths over the shortest period of time in Iraq and Afganistan.

"Despite the fact that this video was meant as a joke, this is one of those things we can say is certainly no laughing matter.

"For these people to make light of the conflict is in the worst taste - they can't have thought it through at all."

For further coverage see also the Evening Standard