A UK TV station bought a painting by Hitler. A studio audience will vote on whether to destroy it

London CNN — British broadcaster Channel 4 has received stinging criticism over plans for a new show that will allow a studio audience to decide whether to destroy a painting by Adolf Hitler. But the announced plans for “Jimmy Carr Destroys Art” – due to air on October 24 – have provoked strong criticism. In a statement to CNN, Channel 4 defended the show, calling it “a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of the limits of free expression in art, and whether work by morally despicable artists still deserves to be seen.” The Channel 4 spokesman said the show “speaks directly to the current debate around cancel culture and is in a long tradition of Channel 4 programming.” The state-owned but commercially funded channel was founded 40 years ago to give UK viewers an edgy alternative to the two main channels, BBC and ITV. “Choosing Jimmy Carr to front this episode is deliberately provocative and inflammatory given his history of using the murder of Roma and Sinti people by the Nazis and their collaborators for comedic gain,” said Marks-Woldman.