BBC too worried about ‘avoiding offence’, says Louis Theroux

In recent years Theroux has formed his own television production company and stopped his hit BBC podcast in favour of a deal with Spotify. Photograph: David Vinitiner/The Guardian

Louis Theroux says the BBC is increasingly reluctant to cover morally complex topics because the broadcaster is too worried about “avoiding offence”.

The documentary maker said the national broadcaster had been damaged by endless criticism from its opponents, making him concerned it was playing it safe: “From working so many years at the BBC, and still making programmes for the BBC, I see all too well the no-win situation it often finds itself in. Trying to anticipate the latest volleys of criticisms. Stampeded by this or that interest group. Avoiding offence.