BBC to Poll Antigay Audiences on Coverage

The BBC has launched a major research project on its LGBT coverage that will include the opinions of antigay audience members.

According to The Guardian, the BBC will ask a range of constituencies what they think about the portrayals of LGBT people by the public broadcaster.

"The three-part research project will canvas the gay, lesbian and bisexual communities but also those from religious and ethnic minorities who are anti-homosexual," reported The Guardian.

The BBC says the research, to be published in the summer, will be used to help programmers make decisions.

"It will not alter editorial guidelines but will result in a report to give BBC programme-makers information to help them make decisions when dealing with such topics and storylines," said the BBC, according to the newspaper.

Last month, the web site for a BBC news show sparked outrage when it asked readers to respond to the question "Should homosexuals face execution?" concerning the legislative proposal in Uganda.