A hit South African television series has ignited a global firestorm over polygamy. The BBC World Service is leading coverage, but the real story is the power play behind the scenes.
The show, a lavish drama set in a polygamous household, has become a lightning rod. Critics call it a celebration of patriarchal oppression. Supporters say it reflects cultural reality. The BBC’s decision to air it globally has infuriated feminist groups and conservative moralists alike.
But here is the Westminster angle. This is not just a culture war skirmish. It is a test of soft power. The BBC is already under fire from the government for its alleged bias. Now it is wading into a row that could have diplomatic consequences.
Whitehall sources whisper that the Foreign Office is nervous. South Africa is a key trade partner. UK ministers do not want to be seen as lecturing a former colony on marriage customs. But they also do not want to be accused of backing a 'problematic' show.
Labour backbenchers are circling. Expect a flurry of parliamentary questions. The culture secretary will be grilled. The BBC director-general is on the back foot.
The real battle, however, is internal. BBC World Service editors are divided. Some see the show as a bold move for diversity. Others fear it reinforces stereotypes. One source told me: "It is a bloody mess. We are caught between our values and our audiences."
Polling data shows the UK public is split along age and class lines. Younger, metropolitan viewers are more critical. Older, traditional viewers are more accepting. This is a classic culture war fault line.
The show’s producers, meanwhile, are laughing all the way to the bank. They have mastered the art of controversy. Every denunciation drives up ratings. They know that in the streaming age, outrage sells.
But the stakes are higher than ratings. This row could shape the BBC’s future. The government’s mid-term review of the BBC’s charter is looming. Ministers are looking for excuses to clip its wings. A global row over polygamy is manna from heaven for them.
Keep an eye on the next cabinet meeting. The culture secretary will be under pressure to 'do something.' But what? Censoring the BBC over a show would be a PR disaster. Doing nothing risks a backbench revolt.
The smart money is on a fudge. A carefully worded statement. A call for 'sensitivity.' A promise to review guidelines. The usual whitehall dance.
But the underlying question remains: Who gets to decide what is acceptable? The BBC? The government? The audience? This show is a mirror reflecting our own divisions.
Either way, the game is on. And everyone is playing.
