Historian Tom Holland’s Channel 4 film Islam: The Untold Story cancelled over security fears
Cowardly and gutless:
Channel 4 has cited concerns over security as the reason for cancelling a planned screening at its headquarters this week of a documentary film questioning the origins of Islam.
Islam: The Untold Story, which claimed there was little written contemporary evidence about the origin of the religion, sparked more than 1,000 complaints to Channel 4 and the media regulator after it was broadcast two weeks ago.
Its presenter, the historian Tom Holland, was also the focus of substantial criticism, as well as abuse, on Twitter.
The channel said in a statement on Tuesday: “Having taken security advice we have reluctantly cancelled a planned screening of the programme, Islam: The Untold Story. We remain extremely proud of the film, which is still available to view on 4oD.”
You can read Channel 4 and Holland defending the film here.
And you can watch the film here on 4oD
Tags: Media, Religion Society
September 12th, 2012 at 7:05 am
[...] 4 documentary on the foundations of Islam received 1,200 complaints. Stuart James at eChurch has now drawn attention to the news that a planned screening at Channel 4′s headquarters has been cancelled due to security fears [...]
September 12th, 2012 at 9:51 am
In hoc signo vinces†
Security as the reason?
This is not some ephemeral t-shirt being withdrawn from sale (though I do defend said ephemeral), this is academic exploration and questioning as it should be.
C4 should quantify the security fears, was the security advice from the statutory services and if so are the British government and security services conceding that they are either unwilling or unable to defend enquiring minds and open debate.
These points of security are are now out of C4 hands, it is now the duty of the British government to proactively defend life and liberty or if unwilling or unable to do so cede those responsibilities to the British people to defend.
September 14th, 2012 at 9:14 am
Of course, the film was actually shown on C4 last week. I saw it and it was very interesting.
You can see it online here:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/islam-the-untold-story/4od
November 16th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
youtu.be/aAMX3ecS6Kc
The Jinn And Tonic Show tomorrow will have Tom Holland as a guest – the producer of the Channel 4 documentary “Islam – The untold story” and author of “In the shadow of the sword.” It is possible to watch the show live on BlogTV (link on the video) and if you wish you may also call in to the show with Skype.