BBC apologises after its reporter asks if there are lesbians in Morocco ladies’s soccer staff

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was compelled to subject an apology after one in all its reporters requested a extremely objectionable and inappropriate query to the captain of the Moroccan ladies’s soccer staff in the course of the ongoing FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The Moroccan ladies’s World Cup staff captainGhizlane Chebbak was questioned by a BBC reporter on Tuesday about whether or not any of her soccer teammates have been lesbians, which invited an enormous outrage in opposition to the channel, after which the British channel issued an apology.

At a press convention on Sunday earlier than the Moroccan staff’s match in opposition to Germany, a BBC reporter questioned captain Ghizlane Chebbak if there are any lesbian gamers within the staff, on condition that homosexual relationship is banned in Morocco. The reporter requested, “In Morocco, it’s illegal to have a gay relationship. Do you have any gay players in your squad and what’s life like for them in Morocco?”

Ghizlane Chebbak and the Moroccan coach have been visibly uncomfortable on the query. In reply to the query, Chebbak frowned and took off her earphones earlier than turning to her coach and laughing. Before Chebbak may react, a FIFA consultant intervened, claiming the query was “political” and directing the media to stay to questions referring to soccer.

The press convention moderator stated, “Sorry, this is a very political question, so we’ll just stick to questions relating to football.” However, the BBC reporter insisted that the Moroccan soccer staff captain reply the query.

“No,” the reporter stated, “it’s not political.” “It’s about people. It’s got nothing to do with politics. Please let her answer the question.” The moderator then disregarded the reporter’s feedback and continued with the press convention by permitting yet one more query from one other reporter.

Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak’s nearly in disbelief response to the query, says all of it.

A totally unethical out of line query that poses security issues to the gamers he asking to be named.

Bizarre push adopted.
pic.twitter.com/MKk84O774E

— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) July 24, 2023

Apart from being inappropriate, the query was additionally a security threat for the gamers. Because, any revelation of same-sex relationships within the staff may end in severe reputations, as homosexual relationship s are banned in Morocco. According to Human Rights Watch, Morocco is one in all at the least 67 nations which have made same-sex intimacy a legal offence. Further, in keeping with the worldwide advocacy group, Moroccans who break the legislation would possibly spend six months to 3 years in jail.

After an enormous outrage from all sections, the BBC issued an apology on Tuesday. A BBC spokesperson stated: “We recognise that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress.”

A BBC consultant thought of the query “inappropriate” on Tuesday and claimed the information outlet “had no intention to cause any harm or distress.” Also, different reporters who have been there within the room criticized the query on social media. 

CBS Sports reporter Shireen Ahmed tweeted saying, “The reporter was completely out of line. Harm reduction matters and posing the question to the captain or coach was unnecessary. The question was waved off by a FIFA media officer moderating but it shouldn’t have been asked.”

I used to be at this press convention. The reporter was utterly out of line. Harm discount issues and posing the query to the captain or coach was pointless. The query was waved off by a FIFA media officer moderating nevertheless it should not have been requested. https://t.co/csZ0McTq4k

— Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) July 23, 2023

“This isn’t an issue of journalistic freedom. You can inquire about social laws in different places without endangering people. Journalists have an obligation to be fair, accurate and practise with care. If reporting harms someone, it is not only unethical but dangerous,” stated Ahmed.

The occasion wasn’t the primary time lately that the BBC has confronted criticism for its therapy of LGBTQ folks.

In 2021, the BBC got here below hearth from LGBTQ activists for publishing a report titled “We’re being pressured into sex by some trans women,” which detractors claimed portrayed all trans individuals as sexual predators. And simply final month, it got here below hearth from some activists when it revised insurance policies that forbade its reporters from overlaying LGBTQ Pride celebrations that may be construed as “overt” protests so as to keep away from fees of bias.

On Monday, July  24, Morocco performed within the Women’s World Cup’s inaugural recreation, turning into the primary staff from an Arab or North African nation to o qualify for the Women’s World Cup. Germany defeated the staff 6-0.