BBC defends 16 December gangrape documentary, says it handled issues responsibly

London: Even as the Indian government was pressing it not to show the controversial documentary on the 16 December gangrape, BBC decided to go ahead with its telecast, saying that the film had handled the issue “responsibly”. Originally, BBC had decided to show it on 8 March, coinciding with International Women’s Day, but suddenly decided to advance it even as a storm was raging in India, saying it will enable viewers to see this “incredibly powerful documentary at the earliest opportunity”. [caption id=“attachment_2136457” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] In a statement here, BBC said the documentary- Storyville -India’s Daughter, will be telecast in the United Kingdom on BBC Four at 10 pm tonight (on 4 March). “This harrowing documentary, made with the full support and cooperation of the victim’s parents, provides a revealing insight into a horrific crime that sent shock waves around the world and led to protests across India demanding changes in attitudes towards women,” it said. The statement said the film handles the issue “responsibly” and fully complied with BBC’s editorial guidelines. “The film handles the issue responsibly and we are confident the programme fully complies with our editorial guidelines. “The BBC will broadcast Storyville – India’s Daughter, in the UK on BBC Four. The documentary has the backing of a number of other public service broadcasters, however the BBC is only responsible for transmission of the film in the UK,” the broadcaster said. PTI