
Media expert raises fears over BBC Gaza documentary review
However, the review crucially stated on page one there was nothing 'in the narrator's scripted contribution to the programme that breached the BBC's standards on due impartiality' while it added there was no evidence 'to support a suggestion that the narrator's father or family influenced the content of the programme'.
Professor Des Freedman, who works in the media department at Goldsmiths, University of London, said these points have not been widely focused on by the mainstream media, with most headlines homing in on the single accuracy breach.
READ MORE: Angus Robertson hits out as Labour 'keep UK veto on Scottish laws'
And he fears the review and the way in which the breach has been reported on will now give the BBC "cover" to make more 'cowardly decisions' on Gaza coverage.
'I think it provides BBC executives, who have already made some cowardly decisions such as decided to drop the Doctors Under Attack documentary, with cover to say that actually doing this kind of work in Gaza is too complicated,' he told The National.
'They will do this in the light of the fact they know there will be pressure placed on them.
'The best way of responding to that pressure is not to give in, because that pressure will still come. It's actually to make sure you commission serious, high-quality current affairs programmes and documentaries that assess what's going on.
'My worry is they are going to interpret this as yet another reason to steer clear [of investigative Gaza coverage].'
Freedman (below) added he has concerns over the review branding the documentary a 'higher-risk project' which might require more intense oversight, such as 'embedding a BBC executive into the independent production company'.
(Image: Goldsmiths) He added: 'Why should a documentary about the most appalling war crimes taking place be seen as higher risk?
'Surely the risk would be not to report it.
'I find it worrying it's put into that category of higher risk with more editorial intervention by people who have already demonstrated that they are not willing to sanction impartial reporting of the attacks on Gaza.'
While the review was going on, the BBC axed the Basement Films documentary Gaza: Doctors Under Attack following concerns that it would 'not meet the high standards' of impartiality – a move that was widely criticised especially after it was broadcast by Channel 4 with no formal concerns raised.
Ofcom boss Melanie Dawes said at the weekend that failings on Israel-Palestine coverage present a "real risk" for the BBC. She said it had been guilty of 'own goals' in its reporting and declined to give executives her support.
Upon discovering the Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone narrator, Abdullah, was the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as deputy minister of agriculture in Gaza's government, the BBC removed the documentary from iPlayer.
In an email to staff – shared on social media by Basement Films – BBC News CEO Deborah Turness said the BBC would not reinstate the documentary in full but would explore re-editing some of the material.
READ MORE: Everything to know about the BBC's Gaza, Glastonbury and Gregg Wallace crises
Freedman insisted the documentary must be reinstated in full as he warned that 'breaking it up into morsels' could create even more problems for the BBC.
'They should reinstate the programme onto iPlayer as soon as possible in full, making clear what has happened and allow viewers to make their own minds up,' he said.
'A breach of accuracy does not mean in itself that that programme cannot continue on iPlayer.
'I think the BBC have acknowledged this because Deborah Turness has suggested that the programme could in parts be reintroduced to iPlayer. That's such a typically cowardly way of doing things.
'There is an appetite for this type of content, a comprehensive report has found in terms of programme content, it was pretty much flawless […] so there is no objective reason why the programme shouldn't be put back up there.'
He added: 'The idea you can break this up into morsels is exactly what we don't need. We need proper investigative reporting of what's been going on [in Gaza]."
Ex-BBC journalist Karishma Patel also said there was "no editorial reason" for the BBC not to put the programme back on iPlayer with details of the narrator's background outlined.
She said: "The one breach of BBC editorial policy can easily be resolved by signposting the relevant context in the film, alongside a proper explanation of how ministerial roles operate in Gaza.
"I see no editorial reason why the BBC should not air and upload this amended version of the film - an important piece of public service journalism - to BBC iPlayer.
"But there is a broader conversation to be had here – if the BBC is serious about signposting the relevant connections of every contributor, why not tell us when an interviewee has served in the Israeli military?
"If the BBC is serious about including all relevant context in its news coverage, why not highlight the ICC arrest warrant out for Benjamin Netanyahu whenever he's mentioned?
"The inconsistency in how these rules are applied, especially around Gaza, is distorting reality and misleading audiences."
When approached for comment, the BBC directed The National to a statement from Turness which said: 'At the heart of this programme were powerful and important stories that need to be told. But it's clear that in this programme we made a significant mistake.
"This is why we have drawn up a robust action plan to make sure all of Peter Johnston's recommendations are implemented.
"Our audiences deserve the highest possible standards of accuracy from the BBC, and we are strengthening our editorial oversight to ensure that we deliver this for them.
"We remain committed to reporting from Gaza, despite the fact that international journalists are not allowed in."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Cambrian News
25 minutes ago
- Cambrian News
International Red Line Protest for Palestine marches through Aberystwyth
The Red Line Protest gathers those opposing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza around a 500-metre fabric banner - the same 'line' which has previously encircled the White House in Washington DC, the Houses of Parliament in London and the Senedd in Cardiff.


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
PETER HITCHENS: Only two views are allowed on Gaza... and both are simple-minded rubbish
There are two permitted views on the horrors in Gaza, and I don't hold either of them. What should I do? I simplify only slightly. The first view, popular among 'Right-wing' media, is that the hideous Hamas massacre of October 2023, and the seizure of hostages, justifies Israel 's actions – and that if you oppose them you must therefore be a Hamas sympathiser and an anti-Semite. And quite possibly a terrorist.


Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
We need substance, not gestures in pursuit of the two-state solution
The suffering we are witnessing in the Gaza Strip demands a response. All parties must do what they can to ensure every civilian has safe access to adequate food and medicine, along with the immediate return of the remaining hostages. This moment of crisis requires practical solutions, not gesture politics. The push for the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state by some politicians in this country, and by President Macron of France, cannot improve the situation. The UK Jewish community and its major communal organisations have long supported a two-state solution, leading to a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. But recognising Palestine now will not help achieve that goal. Hamas, having started this war with the brutal terrorism of October 7, are desperate for a propaganda victory to justify the immense suffering they have created. They will claim recognition of Palestine as a vindication of their murderous rampages and hostage-taking. Further, unilateral recognition cannot substitute for the difficult negotiations and concessions needed to realise an enduring peace. Palestinian leaders have been offered two-state proposals in 1947, 2000, 2008, 2014 and 2020, rejecting them each time. This intransigence, and the incitement and corruption of the Palestinian Authority, must be abandoned. Israelis cannot be expected to sacrifice their security for a Palestinian state which could be the base for another October 7. After decades of statements and declarations, it should be clear to all parties that declaring something does not make it the case. Any Palestinian state will need to be created to thrive in reality, not only in the minds of policy-makers. As UK ministers have rightly argued, recognition should be used when it can contribute materially to the endgame of a diplomatic process. In our meetings with the Israeli government, and partners across the Jewish Diaspora, we have been clear that the need for consensual diplomacy, rather than unilateralism, also applies to Israel. The alarming rhetoric of some within the Israeli government, extremist settler violence in the West Bank, and the lack of a clear vision to end the conflict, has left many of Israel's friends unsure of how a sustainable 'day after' can be achieved. In this complex and challenging moment, steps to advance a two-state solution should still be focussed on substance, not gestures. The immediate priority must be to ensure a massive expansion of aid to Gaza, the return of hostages and a lasting ceasefire. This aid must be delivered, whether by the GHF or other humanitarian agencies, in a way which ensures that the beleaguered population receives it but does not allow Hamas to continue to weaponise the aid to fund this war. Beyond this immediate crisis, the ongoing need for peace building has never been more important. This includes both international diplomacy, such as the expansion of the Abraham Accords through normalisation with Saudi Arabia, and bottom-up initiatives both in the Middle East and at home. We need to export peace, not import this conflict. We have told the UK Government that we stand ready to engage with them, the British Muslim community, Israelis, Palestinians, and other key actors, in support of a comprehensive plan that will make a Palestinian state beside a secure Israel a reality. After the horrors of the last 21 months, lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Middle East must now be our urgent mission.