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 organizations worldwide and British media personalties , including BBC Director General John Birt and BBC foreign editor John Simpson . 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 organizations and British media personalities , including BBC Director General John Birt and BBC foreign editor John Simpson .