BBC World News (DStv 400 / StarSat 256) got more than it bargained for when it lost control of its narrative when a Wits University medical student interrupted an interview by reporter Karen Allen, while a BBC producer tried to prevent and shut down filming of the incident.BBC tried to interview students at Rahima Moosa Hospital on graduateing late because of #FeesMustFall. pic.twitter.com/TTy0mNwnR7— Hopeful Romantic (@Mellz_N) October 26, 2016
The cringe-worthy, must-watch and very ugly BBC World News incident started when Karen Allen interviewed a medical student at Wits University at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and another student interrupted with "stop lying".
A BBC World News producer then told the student doctor to stop shouting in a children's ward.
"I'm a student, I have every right to be here. I'm a medical student, I have every right to be here," the Wits student said.
The student made serious allegations against the BBC and BBC World and asked "Who am I disturbing?"
The student doctor said the BBC producer "dumped" a baby in her lap demanding that she stop the child from crying and disturbing the interview.
"You dumped the baby on my lap and told me to make the baby shush. You are the one that is causing disruption here."
The student doctor who was clearly filmed and said she didn't give consent and that Karen Allen and the producer didn't even knew that she was a doctor, alleges that the BBC and BBC World News had had not been granted permission to interview students inside the hospital." I'm done?" #FeesMustFall #BBCatRahimaMoosa #Wits #witsmedschool @WitsFMF @WitsSRC pic.twitter.com/5iTqQC3jHL— Hopeful Romantic (@Mellz_N) October 26, 2016
"Did they even get permission to do this interview? I did not give consent. Don't come and exploit this public space to push your BBC agenda."
"You are only interested in telling one side of the story. There are thousands of students that are financially excluded. Ask anybody here. Medical school is aware of it," she said.
Look at how the producer in a red jacket tries to shut down filming, and the student telling the BBC producer to stop touching her.
"Don't touch me. Please don't touch me. I'm a student. I have every right to be here. I'm a medical student just like everybody else".
Look at the producer wanting to shut down someone else filming the altercation "because our footage of this thing. We're going to be using the footage" and then asking "Are you a student here? Are you a student?"
BBC World News was asked whether Karen Allen asked consent to interview people, whether the producer did ask someone, as is claimed, to keep a baby in the maternity ward quiet and why the BBC producer touched the doctor?
BBC World News was asked why did the producer tell someone to stop filming, and that the student doctor claims that she wasn't asked for permission to be filmed and that the reporter and producer didn't know who she was.
BBC World News didn't respond to the specific questions but in response to the media enquiry and questions tells TVwithThinus that "the team reporting at the Rahima Moosa Hospital had the necessary permissions to film and conduct interviews at the site".
"The junior doctor who the team were interviewing prior to being interrupted, had given his permission to be filmed. Everyone who was interviewed had given their permission".