BBC will use ‘disinformation specialists’ to vet Question Time audience

The BBC will use ‘disinformation specialists’ to vet its Question Time audience after Fiona Bruce appealed for vaccine refuseniks to take part. 

An episode airing next week will feature individuals in the audience who are unvaccinated.  

Question Time chose to appeal to vaccine refuseniks to take part in the show because there were concerns at the broadcaster that it was not representing the views of the 10 per cent in the British adult population who are unjabbed.

People have been encouraged to apply to the BBC programme on one of the main social media channels used by anti-vaxxers, according to the Guardian. 

One user wrote on the anti-vaccine Telegram channel ‘applied’, confirming that the BBC had received their application to be in the audience.

The channel featured replies and comments from other users, who said they would also apply to be in the audience.   

Question Time chose to appeal to vaccine refuseniks to take part in the show because there were concerns at the broadcaster that it was not representing the views of the unjabbed adult population. Pictured: Fiona Bruce on Question Time (stock image)

Question Time has asked people who apply to be in the audience online if they are jabbed since the show returned last year with members of the public.

The practice appears to have deterred those who are not vaccinated from going on the show and there have rarely been questions from unjabbed people as a result.  

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘There are still substantial numbers of the British public who are not vaccinated, especially in particular areas and communities.

‘We think this is an interesting part of the debate which is worthy of discussion. Question Time always strives to discuss each side of every argument. 

‘This is about listening to, and understanding, our audience members. The BBC has always made the scientific consensus on vaccination very clear.’ 

The broadcaster is facing the task of seeking unjabbed people who are not ‘obsessive activists’.

It also risks televising medical misinformation to millions of viewers. 

Bosses have decided to employ disinformation specialists who will vet audience members but it is not clear which criteria will be used for this process. 

Question Time next week is being filmed in an area of London which has some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

Medical experts are due to sit on the panel to discuss and answer questions about vaccinations.   

Instead of spending the whole show discussing jabs, the topic will be mentioned alongside a range of other issues. 

Instead of spending the whole show discussing jabs, the topic will be mentioned alongside a range of other issues. Pictured: The BBC building in London (stock image)

The Guardian asked a BBC spokesperson about the health implications of inviting unvaccinated people into the audience when cases remain high.

The spokesperson said those invited will have to show information about a recent negative test to be allowed into the audience. 

Question Time’s decision to ask unjabbed people to be in the audiences comes amid the backdrop of a debate on BBC impartiality and what views should be considered.  

David Jordan, the BBC’s editorial standards boss, this month tried to define which views should be discussed on the channel.

During the parliamentary hearing, he said he opposed ‘cancel culture’ and was ‘committed to ensuring that viewpoints are heard from all different sorts of perspectives.’

Mr Jordan said the broadcaster should represent a wide range of views. 

He said: ‘It’s critical to the BBC that we represent all points of view and give them due weight.’

‘Flat Earthers are not going to get as much space as people who believe the Earth is round, but very occasionally it might be appropriate to interview a flat-Earther. And if a lot of people believed in flat Earth we’d need to address it more.’