BBC Gaza documentary delay prompts withdrawal threats from doctors, whistleblowers
LONDON: Doctors and whistleblowers who featured in a BBC documentary on Gaza have threatened to withdraw their consent after the broadcaster delayed airing the film, citing an internal review.
The documentary, 'Gaza: Medics Under Fire,' was scheduled to be broadcast in February but remains on hold as the BBC investigates a separate program, 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone,' which was earlier pulled from the BBC's iPlayer after revelations that its young narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
According to a report by The Guardian, although 'Gaza: Medics Under Fire' was cleared for broadcast and approved by the BBC's legal and editorial compliance teams, the broadcaster has reportedly requested further changes and stated the film will not be aired until the ongoing internal review concludes.
The BBC, however, has not indicated when the review is expected to be completed.
While other broadcasters have expressed interest in airing the film, the BBC has so far blocked those efforts, according to the production company.
The delay has sparked backlash from cultural figures including Susan Sarandon, Gary Lineker, Harriet Walter and Miriam Margolyes, who signed an open letter to BBC Director-General Tim Davie, accusing the corporation of 'political suppression.'
'This is not editorial caution. It's political suppression,' the letter stated. 'No news organisation should quietly decide behind closed doors whose stories are worth telling. This important film should be seen by the public, and its contributors' bravery honoured.'
More than 600 people endorsed the letter, including prominent UK actors Maxine Peake and Juliet Stevenson.
Meanwhile, Basement Films, which produced the documentary, has released additional footage from other doctors in Gaza through its social media channels.
'We have many offers from broadcasters and platforms across the world so that the searing testimonies of Gazan medics and of surviving family members can be heard, in some cases eight months after we spoke to them … We are still urging BBC News to do the right thing,' the company said in a statement.
The situation has also stirred internal concern at the BBC, particularly after the corporation's chair, Samir Shah, described the editorial failings of 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone' as a 'dagger to the heart' of the BBC's reputation for trust and impartiality.
A BBC spokesperson told The Guardian: 'We understand the importance of telling these stories and know that the current process is difficult for those involved.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
YouTube educator says she is ready to risk career for Gaza's children
LONDON: American children's educator and YouTuber Rachel Griffin Accurso, known globally as Ms Rachel, has said she is willing to jeopardize her career to advocate for Palestinian children suffering under Israeli bombardment in Gaza. Ms Rachel said she had been targeted by online campaigns and faced calls for government investigation after voicing support for children affected by war in Gaza and elsewhere. Despite growing criticism from some pro-Israel groups and conservative media, she said she remained defiant in a recent interview with WBUR, a Boston-based public radio station. She said: 'I would risk everything — and I will risk my career over and over to stand up for children. It's all about the kids for me. I wouldn't be Ms Rachel if I didn't deeply care about all kids.' Her comments came as humanitarian agencies continue to sound the alarm over conditions in Gaza, where more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the UN has warned that the enclave faces imminent famine. The YouTube star said a recent meeting with Palestinian mothers, whose children remain trapped in Gaza, had had a profound effect on her. She said: 'When you sit with a mother who's FaceTiming her boys in Gaza who don't have food, and you see that anguish, you ask yourself: What more can I do?' Ms Rachel recently published about her encounter with Rahaf, 3, a double amputee from Gaza who was evacuated for medical treatment in the US by the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. Rahaf's story, including her wish to return to school and stand while praying, has been shared by Ms Rachel on her social media platforms, alongside the educator's advocacy for children in Gaza. Ms Rachel has faced accusations of bias, including a call by a pro-Israel organization urging the US attorney general to investigate her messaging. She acknowledged the pressure, but insisted her mission remains unchanged. She said: 'It's painful, but I know who I am, and I know how deeply and equally I care for all children.' A former teacher in New York, Ms Rachel said her work had always been rooted in the principle that all children, regardless of nationality or background, deserved dignity, safety, and access to basic needs. She added: 'That's the basis of everything for me — children are equal.'
Arab News
16 hours ago
- Arab News
Emmy-winning director R. J. Cutler's docuseries ‘Esports World Cup: Level Up' starts June 6
RIYADH: 'Esports World Cup: Level Up,' a new, five-part documentary series from Emmy-winning director R. J. Cutler begins on Jun. 6 on Prime Video, with new episodes released weekly. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport It offers viewers a look behind the scenes of the inaugural Esports World Cup that took place in Riyadh in 2024. Described as a defining moment in global electronic sports, with more than $60 million in prize money up for grabs, it ignited a high-stakes, multinational battle to land the title of the world's top esports club. The makers of the series, which is produced by This Machine, part of Sony Pictures Television, describe it as a rare look inside a global competition that is redefining what it means to be a champion for a new generation of athletes and fans. They said Cutler and his team embedded themselves at the eight-week tournament, which was watched by more 500 million fans worldwide, to uncover the personal sacrifices, rivalries and high stakes driving the digital action. Shot in cinema verite style, with minimal interference from the filmmakers, the series reportedly combines visits to the homes of competitors around the world with on-the-ground coverage of the event. It follows a wide range of participants, from club CEOs attempting to orchestrate million-dollar strategies, to rising stars chasing a life-changing win. 'What drew me to the EWC was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,' Cutler said. ''Level Up' isn't just about the incredible competition and prize money; it's about the dedication, the passion and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what's possible. 'Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million but who also expose their humanity in the process.' Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: 'A win might make the headlines but the real story is the people behind it. ''Level Up' dives into the human side of e-sports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It's about what it really takes to compete at the highest level and why it matters. R. J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we're building.' Cutler's previous work includes the 2009 documentary movie 'The September Issue,' about American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team as they prepare to publish a particularly significant edition of the magazine, and films about celebrities including Marlon Brando, John Belushi, Billie Eilish, Elton John and Martha Stewart.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Teen TikTok star shot dead after man broke into her home
ISLAMABAD — A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Pakistan and confessed to the murder of 17-year-old social media influencer Sana Yousaf, according to police. Authorities say they believe Umar Hayat murdered Ms Yousaf at her home in Islamabad on Monday after she rejected what they called his "offers of friendship". He allegedly also repeatedly tried and failed, to meet her. They say he broke into her home, fired two shots, stole her phone and fled. Ms Yousaf's father, Syed Yousaf Hassan, told the BBC she was his only daughter and was "very brave". Her family have gathered in Chitral, where Ms Yousaf has been buried. Yousaf said she had never mentioned Hayat, nor any threatening behavior, before she was killed. He said Ms Yousaf's aunt was at the family home when the suspect broke in, and that he had also threatened to shoot her before fleeing. Ms Yousaf died before she could be taken to the hospital. Police said the "brutal" murder caused "a wave of concern" across the country, and that there was "immense" pressure to find the killer. They raided locations across the capital and the province of Punjab and scanned footage from 113 CCTV cameras. The suspected murder weapon and Ms Yousaf's phone have since been recovered. Ms Yousaf already had a wide following in Pakistan, with half a million fans on Instagram before her death. Condolences have flooded her social media pages. Her TikTok account gained hundreds of thousands of followers overnight, and now stands at more than a million. Her last video on Instagram, posted last week, showed her surrounded by balloons and cutting a cake for her birthday. Given her high profile in Pakistan, news of Ms Yousaf's death spread quickly in local news media and on social media platforms. It's also ignited a fierce debate about women on social media. While many have shared their outrage at news of Ms Yousaf's death, there has also been backlash towards her work as an influencer. Digital rights advocacy group Bolo Bhi has been monitoring the online reaction, and its director Usama Khilji said such criticism had been coming from a small portion of mostly male internet users - some of whom have cited religious grounds. "They're asking why she was putting up all this content, and even suggesting the family should take down her Instagram and TikTok accounts because they add to her 'sins'," Mr Khilji explained. Dr Farzana Bari, a prominent human rights activist, argued the reaction is "misogynistic" and "patriarchal". She said Ms Yousaf had "her own voice", and that the discourse online is a reminder that social media has become a "very threatening place for female content creators" in Pakistan. The Inspector General of Police for Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, said women who choose to become social media influencers "deserve our encouragement and support". He added Ms Yousaf's murder was "tragic". Dr Bari said authorities condemning the incident publicly was a positive sign that could lead to change. The arrested suspect is the son of a former public servant. He is from the town of Faisalabad, in the province of Punjab, according to police. — BBC
