BBC under fire for controversial Web forum

"Yes, we accept it is a stark and disturbing question," The Times of London quoted the introduction to the forum as saying. "But this is the reality behind an Anti-Homosexuality Bill being debated on Friday by the Ugandan Parliament which would see some homosexual offenses punishable by death."

Wednesday's debate on the Have Your Say Web site drew hundreds of comments, mostly from people who were shocked by the proposal, although there reportedly were some who support executing gays.

"We should be looking at what is going on in Uganda with abhorrence," Labor Member of Parliament Eric Joyce told Britain's House of Commons Thursday. "We should be condemning it, and the BBC should be condemning it, just as we do sexual violence in the Congo or genocide in Rwanda or Darfur."

David Stead, the program's editor, said text accompanying the discussion explained the bill.

"We agree that it is a stark and challenging question, but think that it accurately focuses on and illustrates the real issue at stake," said David Stead, the program's editor. "If Uganda's democratically elected MPs vote to proceed with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill this week, they will bring on to the statute book legislation that could condemn people to death for some homosexual activities."

Stead said the discussion was intended to reflect "the varied and hugely diverse views about homosexuality in Africa."

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.