This ban was lampooned in cartoons and satirical TV shows , such as `` Spitting Image '' , and in `` The Day Today '' and was criticised by freedom of speech organisations and British media personalities , including BBC Director General John Birt and BBC foreign editor John Simpson .
This ban was made fun of in cartoons and satirical TV shows , notably `` Spitting Image '' , and in `` The Day Today '' . It was also criticized by freedom of speech organisations worldwide and British media personalties , including BBC Director General John Birt and BBC foreign editor John Simpson .