‘Match of the Day’ is the longest running football TV program in the world. Following the BBC’s decision, a large number of hosts and co-hosts have reportedly turned against the broadcaster, refusing to appear on Saturday’s show. TV and radio services were forced to change their scheduled programmes. Former UK footballers Ian Wright and Alan Shearer tweeted that they would not be attending the ‘Match of the Day’.
Debate on ‘Freedom of Speech’
Wright said in his podcast on Saturday that he would leave the BBC if Lineker was singled out for ‘right’. This decision of BBC has sparked a debate on ‘freedom of expression’. A large number of politicians and celebrities have come out in protest. Many have accused the BBC of bowing to the demands of Conservative MPs. Meanwhile, British PM Rishi Sunak said that this dispute is a matter of the broadcaster and not the government. Hopefully, the current dispute will be resolved in time, he added.
‘We are no different from China and North Korea’
TV host Piers Morgan said: ‘It is absolutely insane that Britain has become a country where you can lose your job for having an opinion. If we can’t protect free speech, even if it’s ideas we personally don’t like, then we’re no different from countries like China and North Korea. Labor Party leader Keir Starmer has accused the BBC of “bowing down” to the demands of Conservative Party members.