How BBC Reporter Martin Bashir Tricked Princess Diana Into Her Controversial Interview
JAKARTA - We've gone through 25 years since the BBC interviewed the world's most wanted source: Princess Diana. The interview was re-discussed. Martin Bashir, a BBC reporter, allegedly manipulated several things for the interview. What's going on? Here are the things you need to know about princess Diana's interview manipulation issue.
The interview aired on a program called Panorama in late 1995. And that's great news for the BBC. In the interview Diana revealed the circumstances she experienced as a result of Prince Charles's affair with Camilla Parker Bowles who is now his wife. Diana had experienced bulimia, self-harm.
Panorama's show was watched by more than 20 million people, making it roll into a mega ball of controversy. Princess Diana, indirectly, also mentioned Charles would not be king. Diana said the royal staff opposed Charles. After the interview, Queen Elizabeth wrote to Diana and Charles, asking for their divorce.
Quoting the BBC, Saturday, May 22, Diana became the first active royal to talk about life as a Royal Family. Never existed before Diana. On the other hand, the interview was the defining moment in the career of BBC reporter Martin Bashir.
Who is Martin Bashir?It was 1995, so many people were surprised to learn that a junior reporter, Martin Bashir managed to get an interview with Princess Diana. Not only is his status as a junior reporter, Bashir is also in doubt because of his unknown background of contact with the United Kingdom.
But the information that Diana was willing to interview him got rid of all questions. Last year the BBC opened an independent inquiry led by former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson. The investigation was launched after allegations surfaced that Bashir tricked Diana into being interviewed.
The results of the investigation described Bashir as "unreliable," "cunning" and "dishonest." Bashir is said to have used deceptive tactics to obtain interviews with Diana. Bashir is also known to lie to managers at the BBC. Following the investigation the BBC released an "unreserved apology."
Reported by the BBC, Bashir's career is right. Years after the interview Bashir briefly worked for the Tonight With Trevor McDonald program, the ITV program, as well as a number of other television networks in the United States (US). Bashir returned to the UK for the BBC as an editor in the religious field in 2016.
How was Bashir's lie structured?The first thing Bashir did was approach Earl Spencer, Diana's younger brother. Bashir showed Spencer false bank statements, which appeared to show evidence of payments by a newspaper and intelligence services to a former member of his staff to monitor Diana's movements.
This way, says Lord Dyson -- the former Supreme Court judge who led the independent investigation -- bashir did to steal Spencer's attention and trust. succeed. Spencer introduced Bashir to Diana. Bashir claimed the bank statement was created by a member of the graphics team who also worked at the BBC.
Reports in the investigation stated Bashir "lied and continued to defend his lies until he realized the lie could not continue. This is the most despicable behavior and raises great doubts over its credibility in general".
What did Diana reveal in the interview?It's not just about Charles' infidelity. Diana also admitted the affair she had with James Hewwit. Bashir asked Diana, "Is your relationship (and James's) more than just a close friendship?"
Diana replied, "Yes."
"Are you unfaithful?" asked Bashir back.
"Yes, I admire him (James). yes, I fell in love with him. But I'm very disappointed," Diana said.
In addition to the affair, Diana also revealed the depression she experienced after giving birth to Prince William. This was revealed by Diana when Bashir asked about "how did the Royal Family react after she gave birth to William?"
"Yes, everyone is very happy. It was a pretty difficult pregnancy. I wasn't well that long. So by the time William was born, it was a huge relief because everything was back in peace. And I was fine for a while."
"Then I became unwell with postpartum depression, which no one ever discussed. And that in itself is a rather difficult time. You'll wake up in the morning feeling like you don't want to get out of bed, feel misunderstood, and feel very, very humble," Diana said.
"Is that the depressive effect of your marriage?" asked Bashir.
Diana replied: Yes, it gives everyone an amazing new label... I am unstable and mentally unbalanced. And unfortunately it seems to have been plastered over the years.
What is the royal family's response to the progress of the investigation?Prince William and Prince Harry have responded to the interview. They reveal the heartache they felt in the aftermath of the mother's controversial interview.
William said Diana was "let down not only by a reporter who was out of bounds, but also by BBC leaders who chose to look the other way rather than ask hard questions."
William also said the interview had a major impact on diana and Charles' deteriorating relationship. Meanwhile, Prince Harry said, "The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices" ultimately took his mother's life.
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