Published Date: 27 April 2011
THE US government suspected the BBC of being a "possible propaganda media network" for al-Qaeda after a phone number for the World Service was found in the possession of several suspected terrorists.
The number was held by operatives fighting in Afghanistan and questions were asked about the corporations' involvement.
However, the BBC last night made it clear that the number was held by al-Qaeda operatives because they had been interviewed for stories.
A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "Independence and impartiality are at the heart of all BBC World Service output.
"The service has interviewed representatives of organisations from all sides involved in the Afghan conflict so it would not be surprising that a number believed to relate to the BBC Pashto service was in circulation."
It is not the first time in recent years that the BBC has been held in suspicion by the Americans, with particular hostility shown by the Bush administration.
However, the BBC last night made it clear that the number was held by al-Qaeda operatives because they had been interviewed for stories.
A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "Independence and impartiality are at the heart of all BBC World Service output.
"The service has interviewed representatives of organisations from all sides involved in the Afghan conflict so it would not be surprising that a number believed to relate to the BBC Pashto service was in circulation."
It is not the first time in recent years that the BBC has been held in suspicion by the Americans, with particular hostility shown by the Bush administration.
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