Latest news with #AymanAlyazouri
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC taking ‘nowhere near enough action' over Gaza documentary
The Culture Secretary has accused the BBC of failing to show enough urgency in its review of a controversial documentary on Gaza as she demanded answers from the broadcaster by early next week. Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone was removed from BBC iPlayer after it emerged that the child narrator, Abdullah, is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamas's deputy minister of agriculture. The broadcaster apologised for the making of the programme, about children living in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war, after conducting an initial review and it has now launched a further internal probe. But speaking to the PA news agency on Wednesday, Lisa Nandy said she was yet to see "anywhere near enough action" and that she expected progress to have been made by early next week, when she plans to update the Commons. "What I haven't seen from the BBC yet is anywhere near enough action to grip the problems that have emerged," she said. "There isn't enough urgency and I've been absolutely clear with the BBC leadership about that. We need proper explanations about what went wrong in this case, why due diligence wasn't done on the people that were featured in the film, people who worked on the film, and also on the use of language. READ MORE: Shoppers name the UK's best supermarket - and it's not Tesco, Aldi, or Sainsbury's READ MORE: Wanted sex offender who can present as woman 'might be in London', police say "I've been really clear with the BBC leadership that I expect answers to those questions and I expect progress to be made by early next week when I intend to update the House of Commons again." She added that it would be "very difficult to see a scenario in which it would be acceptable" for the film to made available again after BBC director-general Tim Davie declined to rule out the prospect of it returning to iPlayer. The BBC said it is "seeking additional assurance" from production company Hoyo Films after it admitted "they paid the boy's mother, via his sister's bank account, a limited sum of money for the narration". Other accusations have been made that parts of the documentary were mis-translated, and more children who appeared in it were linked to proscribed terrorist organisation Hamas. In a written statement to MPs, Ms Nandy said she has been "deeply shocked and disappointed", after the BBC and its board recognised "a number of serious failings in their commissioning and editorial processes". She added that this "damages vital trust in an organisation which must retain the confidence of the public", and said she spoke to the BBC chairman Samir Shah, and told him of her "concerns" on Friday. "While I appreciate that the BBC apologised for its failings, and the BBC board acknowledged that the mistakes were 'significant and damaging', it is vital that the BBC now takes action so that trust is restored and a serious error of this magnitude is not repeated," she said. "Reflecting the concerns of (the) House (of Commons) I sought assurances from the chair that the fact-finding review the BBC has commissioned will be swift and rigorous. "I emphasised that it must include a robust financial audit and address concerns raised (by MPs) on translation. I made clear that the chair and his board must lead and hold the BBC robustly to account for resolving the issues already exposed, and implementing the review's recommendations." She also said "the BBC has provided me with further information on their approach to enhanced compliance procedures but I have not yet received the full range of assurances" and "have requested further details and assurances and expect to be provided these by the BBC leadership urgently". "The duty to report on what is happening to people in Gaza is absolutely fundamental," Ms Nandy also said. "That is why the Government believes that the BBC and others have a responsibility to exercise utmost care and due diligence in the way in which they report on this conflict. "It is in no one's interest for the public not to have confidence in the information that they are receiving." Mr Davie told the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday he was "very sorry to the audience, because we don't want to be in a position where we have flaws in the programme-making". He added he had "overall" been "proud of the way we're covering some of these polarised, fiendishly difficult events". He also said that there had been around 500 complaints about the film being biased against Israel, and around 1,800 complaints wanted the film put back on iPlayer, and he is "not ruling anything out" on it returning to the BBC's online streaming platform. In a letter to the BBC on Monday, Ofcom chairman Lord Grade said the regulator could step in if an internal inquiry into the making of the documentary is not satisfactory. Presenters Gary Lineker and Anita Rani, and actors Riz Ahmed and Miriam Margolyes, are among more the 500 media figures who had condemned the withdrawal from iPlayer. Former BBC One controller Danny Cohen, who was among those wanting the BBC to pull the programme, has called for a full independent inquiry. A BBC spokeswoman said: "We take these issues incredibly seriously which is why we have commissioned (director of editorial complaints and reviews) Peter Johnston to lead a full fact-finding review. That work has commenced. "It is vital that this work moves quickly, but it must also be thorough and get to the answers we are seeking."
The Independent
03-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ofcom warns it could intervene in BBC's Gaza documentary investigation
Ofcom has warned it has 'ongoing concerns' about the 'nature and gravity' of a BBC documentary on Gaza which featured the son of a Hamas official. In a letter to the BBC, Ofcom chairman Lord Grade also warned that the regulator could 'intervene' to handle a complaint if it is not satisfied with the corporation's internal investigation. An internal review by the broadcaster found that the child narrator for Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamas's deputy minister of agriculture. The letter to BBC chairman Samir Shah comes as BBC director-general Tim Davie is set to be questioned by MPs during a Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee hearing on the work of the corporation. It also comes after the Metropolitan Police said 'officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command are currently assessing whether any police action is required' in relation to the documentary. Lord Grade wrote: 'The BBC has publicly acknowledged there were serious failings in the production of this programme which have raised important questions that the BBC must answer. 'Ofcom has ongoing concerns about the nature and gravity of these failings and the negative impact they have on the trust audiences place in the BBC's journalism. 'It is crucial that the causes of those errors are investigated, and that systems are put in place to ensure they cannot recur.' He also noted that 'in exceptional circumstances, Ofcom may intervene to handle and resolve a complaint which has not been resolved by the BBC'. Lord Grade, who said Ofcom is waiting on the BBC to complete its investigations, added: 'We expect the investigation into complaints being led by the Editorial Complaints Unit and the fact-finding review led by Peter Johnston to be conducted as thoroughly as possible, and with the full scrutiny of the BBC Board. 'We will continue to keep the situation under close review and will expect regular updates from the BBC regarding both timeframes and progress and reserve the right to use our powers to step in should we feel it necessary to do so, given that the BBC Board has decided these to be internal investigations.' The BBC has said independent production company Hoyo Films, which made the documentary, told the broadcaster that the boy's mother had been paid 'a limited sum of money for the narration'. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy met Dr Shah on Friday after saying she wanted assurances 'that no stone will be left unturned' during a review into the documentary. A BBC spokesman previously said 'serious flaws in the making of this programme' had been identified. He added: 'Some of these were made by the production company and some by the BBC; all of them are unacceptable. 'BBC News takes full responsibility for these and the impact that these have had on the corporation's reputation. We apologise for this. 'Nothing is more important than the trust that our audiences have in our journalism. This incident has damaged that trust. 'While the intent of the documentary was aligned with our purpose – to tell the story of what is happening around the world, even in the most difficult and dangerous places – the processes and execution of this programme fell short of our expectations. 'Although the programme was made by an independent production company, who were commissioned to deliver a fully compliant documentary, the BBC has ultimate editorial responsibility for this programme as broadcast.' The spokesman said one of the core questions was around 'the family connections of the young boy who is the narrator of the film' and the production company 'was asked in writing a number of times by the BBC about any potential connections he and his family might have with Hamas'. A BBC spokesperson said: 'Since transmission, they have acknowledged that they knew that the boy's father was a deputy agriculture minister in the Hamas government; they have also acknowledged that they never told the BBC this fact.' After the discovery about Abdullah Al-Yazouri, who speaks about life in the territory amid the war between Israel and Hamas, the BBC added a disclaimer to the programme, and later removed it from its online catch-up service, saying it had no plans to broadcast the programme again. Last week, protesters gathered outside Broadcasting House in London claiming the BBC had aired Hamas propaganda. The BBC also faced criticism in pulling the documentary, with Gary Lineker, Anita Rani, Riz Ahmed and Miriam Margolyes among more than 500 media figures who had condemned the action. In an open letter addressed to Mr Davie, Dr Shah and outgoing chief content officer Charlotte Moore, hundreds of TV and film professionals and journalists called the decision to remove the documentary 'politically motivated censorship'.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Counter-terror police assess complaints over BBC Gaza documentary
Counter-terror police are currently assessing complaints regarding a BBC documentary that delved into life in Gaza, which controversially featured the son of a Hamas official as its child narrator. An internal review by the BBC of the programme titled "Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone" revealed that the boy is, in fact, the son of Ayman Alyazouri, identified as serving as Hamas's deputy minister of agriculture. The production company behind the documentary, Hoyo Films, apparently informed the BBC they had compensated the boy's mother with "a limited sum of money for the narration". READ MORE: Dog owners in England face £1,000 fine from March 1 READ MORE: UK households putting out bins in March face £1,000 fine over little-known rule Metropolitan Police have been brought into the frame, as a spokesperson affirmed: "We're aware of a BBC documentary about Gaza and we have received a number of reports raising concerns." They added: "Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command are currently assessing whether any police action is required in relation to this matter." The situation escalated to political echelons, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy consulting with BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah last Friday, demanding assurances "that no stone will be left unturned" as the broadcaster reviews the documentary. Meanwhile, a BBC representative acknowledged that "serious flaws in the making of this programme" had come to light, attributing blame to both the production company and to lapse in BBC oversight. The spokesperson continued, "Some of these were made by the production company and some by the BBC; all of them are unacceptable." BBC News shouldered full responsibility for the errors, expressing remorse for how they've impacted the corporation's standing. Expressing their regret, the spokesperson echoed: "BBC News takes full responsibility for these and the impact that these have had on the corporation's reputation. We apologise for this." They stressed the paramount importance of audience trust, conceding that "Nothing is more important than the trust that our audiences have in our journalism. This incident has damaged that trust. "While the intent of the documentary was aligned with our purpose – to tell the story of what is happening around the world, even in the most difficult and dangerous places – the processes and execution of this programme fell short of our expectations. "Although the programme was made by an independent production company, who were commissioned to deliver a fully compliant documentary, the BBC has ultimate editorial responsibility for this programme as broadcast." A spokesperson highlighted a critical area of concern: "the family connections of the young boy who is the narrator of the film". It was noted that "the production company was asked in writing a number of times by the BBC about any potential connections he and his family might have with Hamas." Following revelations about Abdullah Al-Yazouri, which brought into question impartiality amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the BBC swiftly supplemented the programme with a disclaimer before removing it from its iPlayer service and stating there are no plans for the show to be aired again. On Tuesday, protests erupted outside the Broadcasting House in London as individuals accused the BBC of broadcasting Hamas propaganda. The decision to pull the documentary has not been without backlash, with notable figures like Gary Lineker, Anita Rani, Riz Ahmed, and Miriam Margolyes amongst over 500 media personalities criticising the move. Hundreds of TV and film professionals, along with journalists, have penned an open letter to BBC's director-general Tim Davie, chairman Dr Shah, and the departing chief content officer Charlotte Moore, labelling the removal of a documentary as "politically motivated censorship".
The Independent
01-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Counter-terror police assess complaints about BBC Gaza documentary
Counter-terror police are assessing complaints about a BBC documentary on Gaza which featured the son of a Hamas official. An internal review by the broadcaster into Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone found that the programme's child narrator is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamas's deputy minister of agriculture. The BBC said independent production company Hoyo Films, which made the documentary, told the broadcaster that the boy's mother had been paid 'a limited sum of money for the narration'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'We're aware of a BBC documentary about Gaza and we have received a number of reports raising concerns. 'Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command are currently assessing whether any police action is required in relation to this matter.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy met BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah on Friday after saying that she wanted assurances 'that no stone will be left unturned' during a review into the documentary. A BBC spokesperson said 'serious flaws in the making of this programme' had been identified. After the discovery about Abdullah Al-Yazouri, who speaks about life in the territory amid the war between Israel and Hamas, the BBC added a disclaimer to the programme, and later removed it from its online catch-up service saying it had no plans to broadcast the programme again. On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside Broadcasting House in London claiming the BBC had aired Hamas propaganda. The BBC also faced criticism in pulling the documentary, with Gary Lineker, Anita Rani, Riz Ahmed and Miriam Margolyes among more than 500 media figures who had condemned the action. In an open letter addressed to the BBC's director-general Tim Davie, chairman Dr Shah and outgoing chief content officer Charlotte Moore, hundreds of TV and film professionals and journalists called the decision to remove the documentary 'politically motivated censorship'.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Counter-terror police assess complaints about BBC Gaza documentary
Counter-terror police are assessing complaints about a BBC documentary on Gaza which featured the son of a Hamas official. An internal review by the broadcaster into Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone found that the programme's child narrator is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamas's deputy minister of agriculture. The BBC said independent production company Hoyo Films, which made the documentary, told the broadcaster that the boy's mother had been paid 'a limited sum of money for the narration'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'We're aware of a BBC documentary about Gaza and we have received a number of reports raising concerns. 'Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command are currently assessing whether any police action is required in relation to this matter.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy met BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah on Friday after saying that she wanted assurances 'that no stone will be left unturned' during a review into the documentary. A BBC spokesperson said 'serious flaws in the making of this programme' had been identified. After the discovery about Abdullah Al-Yazouri, who speaks about life in the territory amid the war between Israel and Hamas, the BBC added a disclaimer to the programme, and later removed it from its online catch-up service saying it had no plans to broadcast the programme again. On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside Broadcasting House in London claiming the BBC had aired Hamas propaganda. The BBC also faced criticism in pulling the documentary, with Gary Lineker, Anita Rani, Riz Ahmed and Miriam Margolyes among more than 500 media figures who had condemned the action. In an open letter addressed to the BBC's director-general Tim Davie, chairman Dr Shah and outgoing chief content officer Charlotte Moore, hundreds of TV and film professionals and journalists called the decision to remove the documentary 'politically motivated censorship'.
