BBC breached editorial policy with Gaza doc narrated by son of Hamas official: internal review
Article content
The 31-page review by Peter Johnston, director of the BBC's Editorial Complaints and Reviews department, upheld complaints of misleading audiences of the documentary film 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone,' due to the fact that its main narrator, a boy named Abdullah, was later found to be the son of a Hamas government official, Ayman Alyazouri, deputy minister of agriculture in the Hamas-run Gaza government.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The London-based production company Hoto Films, which produced the documentary for the BBC, 'had to bring this information to the BBC's attention' but did not and is therefore 'the party with the most responsibility for this failure,' Johnston wrote.
Article content
Article content
'However, I do not consider that the production company intentionally misled the BBC about the narrator's father's position,' he added. Rather, it believed that the father's position 'was a civilian or technocratic one, as opposed to a political or military position in Hamas,' Johnston added. The issue is 'a breach of Guideline 3.3.17 on Accuracy, which deals with misleading audiences,' he added.
Article content
'This is the only breach of the (BBC) Editorial Guidelines I have identified in connection with the Programme,' wrote Johnston.
Article content
All mentions in Arabic of the word 'Jew' were translated in the film as 'Israeli,' but this was not in breach of the guidelines, Johnston wrote, as Gazans often refer to the Israel Defence Forces this way. 'Translating a contributor's words to give the impression they meant to refer to Jewish people generally would therefore also risk misleading audiences,' he claimed.
Article content
Article content
'I do not find there to have been any editorial breaches in respect of the Programme's translation; but I do find that guidance on this topic could be clarified and not just based on previous rulings, as explained further below,' he also said.
Article content
Article content
The inquiry found that the production firm provided payment to the tune of $2,448 and that this was 'reasonable.' An adult earning an average salary in Gaza in 2021 would need to work for 21 months to earn that sum, according to U.N. data. Wages likely dropped even further following the outbreak of war with Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which eliminated many places of employment.
Article content
Johnston also wrote that he had 'not seen or heard any evidence to support a suggestion that the Narrator's father or family influenced the content of the Programme in any way.'
Article content
David Collier, an independent British journalist who exposed the family ties of the narrator Abdullah, dismissed the inquiry's findings as insufficient and criticized the latter's assertion.
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Sun
14 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Israel orders evacuations in central Gaza as ceasefire talks stall and military offensive widens
Published Jul 20, 2025 • 4 minute read People take part in a protest outside US Embassy Branch demanding the end of the war and immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, July 19, 2025. Photo by Maya Alleruzzo / AP DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military published new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday, in one of the few areas where the military has rarely operated with ground troops. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The evacuation cuts access between the city of Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the narrow enclave. The announcement comes as Israel and Hamas have been holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed that expanding Israeli military operations in Gaza will pressure Hamas to negotiate, but negotiations have been stalled for months. Earlier this month, the Israeli military said it controlled more than 65% of the Gaza Strip. Also on Sunday, 65 Palestinians were killed, many while attempting to seek aid, according to local hospitals. Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiyah told The Associated Press that the hospital since Sunday morning had received 48 people who were killed and 150 who were wounded while seeking aid from trucks expected to enter Gaza from the Zikim Crossing, on the northern border between Gaza and Israel. He confirmed that at least 40 people of those killed were fatally shot. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It is unclear whether they were killed by the Israeli army or armed gangs or both. However, that death toll is likely to increase, said Abu Selmiyah. In southern Gaza, Nasser hospital said 17 Palestinians were killed and 69 wounded around aid distribution sites in the southern city of Rafah. Cutting off access The area of Gaza under the evacuation order is where many international organizations attempting to distribute aid are located. The United Nations has been in contact with the Israeli authorities to clarify whether U.N. facilities in southwestern Deir al-Balah are included in Sunday's evacuation order, according to a U.N. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The official said in previous instances U.N. facilities were spared from evacuation orders. The evacuation announcement reaches from a previously evacuated area all the way to the coast and will severely hamper movement for aid groups and civilians in Gaza. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that the military will attack 'with intensity' against militants. He called for residents, including those sheltering in tents, to head to the Muwasi area, a desolate tent camp on Gaza's southern shore that the Israeli military has designated a humanitarian zone. Gaza's population of more than 2 million Palestinians are in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Hamas triggered the 21-month war when militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Fifty remain, but fewer than half are thought to be alive. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Israel's military offensive that followed has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many militants are among the dead but says more than half of the dead have been women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas government but the U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. The Hostages Family Forum, a grassroots organization that represents many of the families of hostages, condemned the evacuation announcement and demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military explain what they hope to accomplish in the area of central Gaza, accusing Israel of operating without a clear war plan. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Enough! The Israeli people overwhelmingly want an end to the fighting and a comprehensive agreement that will return all of the hostages,' the forum said. On Saturday night, during the weekly protest, tens of thousands of protesters marched in Tel Aviv to the branch of the U.S. Embassy, demonstrating for an end to the war. Humanitarian disaster grows On Sunday morning, ambulances in front of three major hospitals in Gaza sounded their alarms simultaneously in an urgent appeal to shed light on the hunger crisis in the territory. The health ministry posted pictures on social media of doctors holding paper signs about malnourished children and lack of medication. Zaher al-Wahidi, one of the spokespeople at the health ministry, said that at least nine children under 5 years old have died of malnutrition as of Sunday since the Israel's imposed aid entry blockade in March. He explained that tracking the number of people dying of starvation is hard because some could be suffering from other medical conditions that could be worsened when compounded with severe hunger. In northern Gaza, Shifa Hospital director Abu Selmiyah said that the hospital recorded 79 people who died of malnutrition in the past month. Israeli bombardments continued to pound the Gaza Strip overnight. Large explosions in northern Gaza were visible from Israel as plumes of fire shot into the sky. Sports Editorial Cartoons Relationships Uncategorized World
Edmonton Journal
14 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
'Toxic environment' and favouritism plague RCMP watchdog, review finds
Article content An independent assessment of the RCMP watchdog, prompted by an anonymous email from employees, uncovered concerns about favouritism, a lack of transparency, heavy workloads and 'a toxic environment.' Article content The workplace assessment of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP found 'a clear call for change and action at the leadership level to restore credibility and trust within the organization.' Article content Article content Article content The Canadian Press recently obtained a copy of the May 2024 assessment, almost six months after filing an Access to Information request with Public Safety Canada, which ordered the report. Article content Article content The Ottawa-based review commission is an independent agency created by Parliament to ensure public complaints about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially. Article content Michelaine Lahaie was serving in the role at that time. Article content Article content Article content It cites a 'notable communication gap' between the leadership and staff, with many employees saying organizational messaging was too infrequent and lacked clarity and consistency. Article content The report says feedback from employees on methods of resolving conflict was mixed, 'with a distinct portion of the workforce feeling unsupported.'
Global News
15 hours ago
- Global News
RCMP watchdog found ‘clear call for change' in workplace culture: Documents
An independent assessment of the RCMP watchdog, prompted by an anonymous email from employees, uncovered concerns about favouritism, a lack of transparency, heavy workloads and 'a toxic environment.' The workplace assessment of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP found 'a clear call for change and action at the leadership level to restore credibility and trust within the organization.' The Canadian Press recently obtained a copy of the May 2024 assessment, almost six months after filing an Access to Information request with Public Safety Canada, which ordered the report. The Ottawa-based review commission is an independent agency created by Parliament to ensure public complaints about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially. Public Safety hired independent workplace investigator Robert Néron for the assessment after receiving an October 2023 email from review commission employees fearful of signing their names due to the watchdog's small size. Story continues below advertisement In a June 2024 note to Public Safety summarizing his findings, Néron said the anonymous email had alleged the review commission was in total disarray because of a lack of leadership from the commission chairperson. Michelaine Lahaie was serving in the role at that time. Néron's summary, heavily redacted before release under the access law, rejected the pointed allegation against the chairperson — a conclusion he reached after interviewing commission employees, including Lahaie, and circulating a detailed questionnaire to staff. Néron found employees generally felt engaged with their work and that most believed leadership treated them fairly and provided constructive feedback. However, some staff expressed serious concerns. 2:14 CAF members were plotting to 'seize' land in Quebec: RCMP The report says a significant number felt overwhelmed by their workloads, causing stress and making them less satisfied with their jobs. Story continues below advertisement It cites a 'notable communication gap' between the leadership and staff, with many employees saying organizational messaging was too infrequent and lacked clarity and consistency. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The report says feedback from employees on methods of resolving conflict was mixed, 'with a distinct portion of the workforce feeling unsupported.' There were also multiple complaints of 'a toxic work environment' due to the behaviour and practices of leadership. 'The staff expresses a strong desire to address and resolve this toxic environment,' the report says. 'They seek an anonymous reporting system to report workplace misconduct, especially involving senior managers.' Employees also wanted additional support for mental health issues and a more compassionate means of accommodating staff needs. Many employees said supervisors and team managers should have more autonomy over decisions about investigative outcomes and allowing people to work remotely, the report adds. 'They believe some current leaders lack the necessary skills and hold positions due to favouritism.' The questionnaire, distributed to current and recently departed employees, revealed a consensus that the commission lacked vision, strategy and a cohesive plan for its future, the report says. 'Respondents feel there are no opportunities to discuss the broader mission or innovate.' Story continues below advertisement The report makes several recommendations to improve employee well-being and promote stronger leadership at the commission. 'In our view, addressing these concerns is crucial to fostering a more inclusive, equitable and productive organizational culture,' Néron said in his letter last year to Public Safety. 'Employees' experiences demonstrate an urgent need for reforms in organizational management to address these issues.' Following completion of Néron's report, Public Safety took steps to help Lahaie communicate the findings to commission staff and implement the various recommendations, the records released under the access law show. Lahaie, a military veteran, was appointed chairperson of the complaints commission for a five-year term in 2019. Her tenure was later extended through early this year. The chairperson's job has been vacant since January and Lahaie is now vice-chairperson at Tribunals Ontario, a provincial government agency. Lahaie declined to comment on the workplace assessment, citing restrictions related to her new position. The review commission has put in place several initiatives to bolster employee well-being following the assessment, said Public Safety spokesperson Tim Warmington. The measures include better availability of wellness information on the organization's intranet and presentations to staff on stress resilience, conflict management and employee assistance, Warmington said in an emailed response to questions. Story continues below advertisement The review commission's mandate is set to expand to cover the activities of the Canada Border Services Agency as well as the RCMP. Legislation establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission received royal assent last year, though it is unclear when the new agency will be up and running.
