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Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Apologizes & Adds Clarification To Gaza Documentary Featuring Son Of Hamas Leader Following Backlash
The BBC has apologized and added a clarification to its Gaza: How To Survive a Warzone documentary that featured the son of Hamas royalty, after nearly 50 entertainment figures sent a letter to the corporation to urge an investigation. The BBC 'had not been informed of this information' by the independent producers behind the doc, the corporation added, following backlash from dozens of senior entertainment figures including former BBC controller Danny Cohen, J.K. Rowling's agent Neil Blair, agent Anita Land and ex-Got Talent commissioner Claudia Rosencrantz. More from Deadline 'Vigil' Renewed For Season 3 At BBC As Hit Thriller Heads To The Arctic Circle BBC Wins Legal Fight With Fired Presenter, But Case Details Claims He Faced "Anti-Wokeism" Homophobia 'Bridgerton's Queen Charlotte Boards BBC's 'The Dream Lands' The letter was sent to Director General Tim Davie, content chief Charlotte Moore and BBC News boss Deborah Turness earlier today, urging an investigation after the documentary about children in Gaza that failed to declare that the lead contributor was the son of Hamas royalty. In a statement in the past few minutes, the BBC said that since the transmission of the doc three days ago it had 'become aware of the family connections of the film's narrator, a child called Abdullah.' 'We've promised our audiences the highest standards of transparency, so it is only right that as a result of this new information, we add some more detail to the film before its retransmission,' the statement added. 'We apologise for the omission of that detail from the original film.' For future repeats and on iPlayer, the film will now clarify: 'The narrator of this film is 13 year old Abdullah. His father has worked as a deputy agriculture minister for the Hamas-run government in Gaza. The production team had full editorial control of filming with Abdullah.' The statement has been added to the BBC's Corrections and Clarifications page and the BBC said it will also respond to the letter directly. The BBC went on to say that it followed the usual compliance procedures in making the film and 'had not been informed of this information by the independent producers when we complied and then broadcast the finished film.' Gaza: How To Survive a Warzone was produced by Hoyo Films, the independent producer run by the doc's director Jamie Roberts, and it was commissioned through the BBC's current affairs team, which sits under Turness. Alarms raised Alarms were first raised yesterday by investigative journalist David Collier on X about one of the show's narrators, the teenager named Abdullah Al-Yazouri, who is the son of Dr. Ayman Al-Yazouri, a senior official in Hamas, which governs Gaza. The documentary, which comes from Emmy-winning filmmakers Roberts and Yousef Hammash, told the stories of four young people living in Gaza. It aired earlier this week and remains on iPlayer, with a repeat scheduled for tonight. Clips have aired on BBC children's news show Newsround. The letter, which can be read in full below, asked the bosses a string of questions including whether the BBC knew that the narrator and principal contributor of the documentary was the son of a senior leader of Hamas, a group proscribed as a terrorist organization by the UK government. If it did, the letter asks why this fact was not disclosed to audiences. If the BBC was unaware of the child's family, the letter asks why it failed to carry out proper checks. BBC journalists are said to be alarmed at how the documentary was allowed to be broadcast in its current form. 'It's a terrible, terrible mess,' said one insider. 'It's really weird that they got themselves into this position and didn't see the problems coming.' Those credited on the film include Joanna Carr, BBC head of current affairs, and her team Gian Quaglieni and Sarah Waldron. One source said Moore's content team also had input and was enthusiastic about the film, which has garnered positive reviews in UK newspapers. The BBC's initial statement issued yesterday about the narrator's links to Hamas appears to try and put distance between Abdullah Al-Yazouri and his father, stating: 'The film told the children's own stories, showing viewers their direct experiences of living through a war, and the children's parents did not have any editorial input.' But the letter flags the BBC's international safeguarding policy rules and regulator Ofcom's broadcasting rules, asking questions including: 'What role did Abdullah Al-Yazouri's parents play in the supervision of the filming of the child and the BBC's duty of care obligations in filming with under-18s?' 'Given that the terrorist group Hamas remain in de facto control of Gaza, it is reasonable to presume that the documentary could only be made with their permission or authorisation,' it adds. 'Was this the case? If so, why was this not disclosed to audiences?' The letter urges the BBC to 'immediately postpone any broadcast repeats of the programme, remove it from iPlayer and take down any social media clips of the programme until an independent investigation is carried out and its findings published with full transparency for licence-fee payers.' The BBC's coverage of the Israel-Hamas war has been a thorny issue since October 7, with the corporation's output criticized heavily on both sides. The Jewish community believes that the BBC has made repeated mistakes that point to systemic issues in its reporting on Israel. Cohen told Deadline: 'If they didn't do the diligence checking [on Gaza: How To Survive a Warzone]— and in doing so, they allowed Hamas propaganda to go out — it's horrendous. If they did know, and they didn't think that this should be disclosed to the audience, that's even more horrendous. To me, it's misleading audiences in a very extreme way. It's very serious as an incident, but it also at the same time forms part of a pattern of systemic problems that the BBC doesn't want to admit or acknowledge.' Another signatory added: 'I am scratching my head in absolute disbelief. Given everything that has been said and done though for the past year — and the degree of division that this story has caused, and indeed the opprobrium that the BBC is now having to deal with from the Jewish community — that they have allowed this to go from bad to worse.' Other signatories include Fulwell 73's Leo Pearlman, 9/11: Inside the President's War Room producer Neil Grant, and British actress Tracy-Ann Oberman. The letter in full Dear Tim, Deborah and Charlotte, We are writing with regards to the documentary 'Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone' broadcast at 9pm on Monday 17 February on BBC2. Clips from the programme were also aired on Newsround on the same date and the programme was made available on iPlayer. Serious concerns have been raised about the editorial standards of this programme and the BBC's compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, its own Editorial Guidelines and English law, and we would like to ask you the following questions: Was it known to the BBC that the narrator and principal contributor of the documentary, Abdullah Al-Yazouri, is the son of a senior leader of the proscribed terrorist group, Hamas? If the BBC was aware that Abdullah Al-Yazouri was the son of a terrorist leader, why was this not disclosed to audiences during the programme? If the BBC was not aware that Abdullah Al-Yazouri is the son of a terrorist leader, what diligence checks were undertaken and why did they fail? If the BBC was aware that Abdullah Al-Yazouri was the son of a terrorist leader, what considerations were put in place in line with the likelihood of child exploitation concerns (BBC International Safeguarding Policy)? What due diligence / checks were undertaken in relation to any of the remote crew working in Gaza? With full editorial control of the documentary, what training was given by the BBC to any in-house and freelance crew (including those remote in Gaza) on the BBC International Safeguarding Policy, the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, or applicable anti-bribery legislation? Was Abdullah Al-Yazouri or his family paid any money, or any form of payment in kind, to participate in the documentary (Ofcom Rule 3.5; BBC Editorial Guidelines (Mandatory Referrals) 8.2.5)? Were any members of Hamas or its terrorist affiliates paid any money, or received any payments in kind or gifts, in relation to the filming of this documentary (Ofcom Rule 3.5; BBC Editorial Guidelines (Mandatory Referrals) 8.2.5)? Did each of Abdullah Al-Yazouri's parents sign a release form authorising his participation in the documentary? If they did not, why not and who then authorised the appearance of the child in the programme? What role did Abdullah Al-Yazouri's parents play in the supervision of the filming of the child and the BBC's duty of care obligations in filming with under-18s? Who was the child's chaperone (BBC International Safeguarding Policy; Ofcom Rule 1.28)? Was the BBC aware that Abdullah Al-Yazouri had previously appeared on Channel 4 in the company of another man who was presented as his father? If the BBC was aware, how did it account for the discrepancy? At any point during the filming of the documentary, were any concerns raised about the welfare of the children involved to the International Safeguarding Point of Contact? If so, were any concerns escalated accordingly? Given that the terrorist group Hamas remain in de facto control of Gaza, it is reasonable to presume that the documentary could only be made with their permission or authorisation. Was this the case? If so, why was this not disclosed to audiences? In light of all questions set out above, what process of editorial oversight throughout the many months of filming did the film receive? Who was the appointed International Safeguarding Point of Contact? Given the serious nature of these concerns, the BBC should immediately postpone any broadcast repeats of the programme, remove it from iPlayer and take down any social media clips of the programme until an independent investigation is carried out and its findings published with full transparency for licence-fee payers. Can the BBC confirm it will take this action? In a filmed interview in 2023, Ms Turness emphasised the great importance of transparency with licence-fee payers in how the BBC carries out its journalism. We therefore trust that full transparency will be provided with regards to these questions. Sincerely Danny CohenNeil BlairLeo PearlmanSamantha BlochTracy Ann ObermanAnita LandSarah DeechCarly ShearDavid HermanCaroline LevyWill DawsMicaela BlitzClaudia RosencrantzGary CohenAdam HirschovitsMalcolm GreenJeremy DrysdaleRick SenatJacob KrichefskiDeli SegalNicole LampertJonathan LeviSarah CamlettEmma EngersJonathan SacerdotiHilary FreemanNadia GabbieLaura FrancesRonit KnobleJosh HowieAdam CaillerShirit Gal KederDebby LeeEvie Bergson-KornNeil GrantEve KayLouisa CleinJulia Kuttner7 people who have signed anonymously for personal reasons Best of Deadline A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan's Next Film – 'The Odyssey': Release Date, Cast And More 'Poker Face' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Wins Legal Fight With Fired Presenter, But Case Details Claims He Faced 'Anti-Wokeism' Homophobia
EXCLUSIVE: The BBC has won the first round of a legal fight with a fired radio presenter, but was unsuccessful in efforts to stop the publication of an internal review detailing allegations of homophobia at one of the broadcaster's regional outposts. BBC Radio Cornwall presenter Jack Murley took legal action against his employer for wrongful dismissal last year. In the first part of his employment tribunal, Murley argued that the BBC discriminated against him for being gay and a representative of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). More from Deadline 'Bridgerton's Queen Charlotte Boards BBC's 'The Dream Lands' BBC Cuts Some Donald Trump Jokes From David Tennant's Opening BAFTA Remarks 'Derry Girls' Star Louisa Harland & Debi Mazar Cast In TV Adaptation Of Marian Keyes' 'The Walsh Sisters' The BBC argued that Murley broke social media rules with tweets that failed to be impartial about local radio job cuts and that fell below standards of taste and decency. The BBC also argued that Murley breached editorial rules by discussing job cuts on-air and making sexualized jokes during a segment on his Sunday afternoon show, titled 'Loosest Goose.' Employment Judge Smail was not persuaded by Murley's arguments and the first round of his case was dismissed. A second part of the tribunal, scheduled to take place in October, will deal with the events surrounding his ousting. In his ruling, Judge Smail concluded that the BBC 'did not seek to prevent' Murley from participating in trade union activities and agreed that the presenter broke social media rules by campaigning against local radio job cuts. Judge Smail also concluded that the disciplinary proceedings brought by the BBC against Murley were 'not related to his sexuality.' In a statement, the BBC said: 'We do not comment on individuals. We welcome the judgment of the tribunal and won't be commenting further.' Murley told Deadline: 'As the tribunal's judgment makes clear, the second part of my claim against the BBC is set to be considered later this year. As such, it would not be right to comment further at this stage. I'd like to thank the NUJ and my legal team for their continued support and hard work, and the public for their kind words and best wishes. They mean an awful lot.' Homophobia Whistleblowing Report As part of the legal proceedings, the BBC failed in its efforts to stop the publication of an internal investigation into allegations of homophobia at BBC Radio Cornwall. Murley filed a whistleblowing report accusing colleagues of homophobic abuse and claiming that management failed to protect him. The July 2024 report was disclosed despite the BBC arguing it was not relevant. The investigation partially upheld an allegation that 'failings at a managerial and institutional level in BBC Radio Cornwall created and sustained an environment in which homophobic abuse was implicitly or explicitly tolerated.' In its closing submission to the tribunal, the BBC admitted that the report detailed the 'regrettable treatment' of Murley, but argued that it was not evidence that managers treated him 'less favourably' because of his sexuality. Judge Smail's ruling contained more details about the report, which comprised 12 allegations made by Murley. BBC investigators concluded that there was a 'case to answer' on eight of Murley's 12 claims. One of the claims with a case to answer detailed how a BBC Radio Cornwall employee pinned to the office kitchen wall a Spectator article that was considered homophobic by managers and later removed. The 'anti-wokeism' op-ed in the right-wing magazine was headlined: 'Has Soviet self-censorship come to Britain?' Written by an Estonian who moved to the UK after living through the fall of Soviet rule, it claimed LGBTQ+ rights advocates have restricted free speech in the same way that the USSR strangled human liberties. It concluded with the line: 'So I find myself facing a dilemma: whether to pack up all of our belongings and move, perhaps back to Eastern Europe – to the Free East, where I don't have to sing to the red rainbow flags. Or correct my speech to avoid being detected by the KGB Trans Allies.' Other allegations considered to have merit by BBC investigators included Murley's claims a presenter made a 'homophobic joke' in the office and a camera operator made 'homophobic' remarks about an LGBT podcast and blood donation. While publishing these details, Judge Smail ultimately determined that the report was only of 'background interest' and was not relevant to the first part of the employment tribunal. Deadline has asked the BBC a series of questions about the whistleblowing report, including whether those accused of wrongdoing have faced disciplinary action. A spokesperson declined to comment. The corporation's diversity and inclusion policy states: 'The BBC is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment in any form.' Disclosure of the report comes at a time when the BBC is undertaking a workplace culture review and employees are being questioned about their experiences of wrongdoing or abuses of power. The work is being led by management consultancy Change Associates and is expected to conclude this year. Best of Deadline 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Tonys, Guilds & More How To Watch Sunday's 'SNL50: The Anniversary Special' Online & On TV Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan's Next Film – 'The Odyssey': Release Date, Cast And More
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disgraced BBC Presenter Jimmy Savile's Home Damaged By Fire
The Scottish home of notorious British TV and radio personality has been damaged by fire. BBC News reports that emergency services attended a blaze Saturday evening at the cottage in the picturesque area of Glen Coe, north of Glasgow in the west of Scotland. More from Deadline Steve Coogan Reveals He's Filming New Season Of 'The Trip' In Plea To Avoid Driving Ban BBC Documentary 'Lockerbie: Our Story' To Spotlight The Personal Stories Of Victims Of Britain's Deadliest Terror Attack Universal International Studios Boards BBC Thriller 'The Dream Lands' Police Scotland said: 'Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 'Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.' Savile, who died in 2011, owned the cottage for over a decade – it has been repeatedly vandalised since his crimes of rape, sexual assault and paedophilia came to light following his death. The disgraced presenter was one of the UK's most familiar public figures. Besides his long career in radio and TV, he raised millions for charity and befriended both members of the royal family and senior politicians. At one point in the 1980s, he served as a friendly liaison between the estranged Prince and Princess of Wales, and he spent one Christmas at the country home of then prime minister Margaret Thatcher. However, following his death an inquiry by the BBC – where he worked for decades – as well as several criminal investigations established that he had abused his high profile to prey on young women wherever he found them, and has become labelled as one of the biggest sex offenders in UK history. Fire fighters were able to control a blaze in one of the outbuildings of the property, whose new owners have been granted permission to transform the property into a completely different dwelling. Best of Deadline 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 'The Apprentice' Oscar Nominees Sebastian Stan & Jeremy Strong On Why It's 'More Of A Horror Movie' With "Monstrous Egos"
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disgraced BBC Presenter Jimmy Savile's Home Damaged By Fire
The Scottish home of notorious British TV and radio personality has been damaged by fire. BBC News reports that emergency services attended a blaze Saturday evening at the cottage in the picturesque area of Glen Coe, north of Glasgow in the west of Scotland. More from Deadline Steve Coogan Reveals He's Filming New Season Of 'The Trip' In Plea To Avoid Driving Ban BBC Documentary 'Lockerbie: Our Story' To Spotlight The Personal Stories Of Victims Of Britain's Deadliest Terror Attack Universal International Studios Boards BBC Thriller 'The Dream Lands' Police Scotland said: 'Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 'Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.' Savile, who died in 2011, owned the cottage for over a decade – it has been repeatedly vandalised since his crimes of rape, sexual assault and paedophilia came to light following his death. The disgraced presenter was one of the UK's most familiar public figures. Besides his long career in radio and TV, he raised millions for charity and befriended both members of the royal family and senior politicians. At one point in the 1980s, he served as a friendly liaison between the estranged Prince and Princess of Wales, and he spent one Christmas at the country home of then prime minister Margaret Thatcher. However, following his death an inquiry by the BBC – where he worked for decades – as well as several criminal investigations established that he had abused his high profile to prey on young women wherever he found them, and has become labelled as one of the biggest sex offenders in UK history. Fire fighters were able to control a blaze in one of the outbuildings of the property, whose new owners have been granted permission to transform the property into a completely different dwelling. Best of Deadline 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 'The Apprentice' Oscar Nominees Sebastian Stan & Jeremy Strong On Why It's 'More Of A Horror Movie' With "Monstrous Egos"
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Documentary ‘Lockerbie: Our Story' To Spotlight The Personal Stories Of Victims Of Britain's Deadliest Terror Attack
EXCLUSIVE: A new BBC documentary will tell the stories of six people who boarded the ill-fated Pan Am 103 flight that was blown up over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing all 259 passengers and crew and 11 people on the ground. Lockerbie: Our Story will see the family and friends of the victims describe their lost loved ones in intimate detail. More from Deadline Universal International Studios Boards BBC Thriller 'The Dream Lands' 'Match of the Day' Host Gary Lineker Shares What He's Most Looking Forward To About Departure From Show "The BBC Didn't Need To Sack Jeremy Clarkson," Says 'Top Gear' Co-Presenter James May Two Rivers Media, out of Glasgow, Scotland, produced the film for BBC One, BBC Scotland and iPlayer. It is directed by Stephen Bennett, who is known for making Dunblane: Our Story and the recent Sky documentary The Tattooist's Son: Journey to Auschwitz. The Lockerbie bombing in December 1988 remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Britain. The repercussions remain keenly felt decades later. Abu Agila Masud will stand trial in Washington later this year, accused of building the bomb that downed the Pan Am plane. Lockerbie: Our Story, however, zeroes in on the personal stories emanating from the atrocity rather than the criminal investigations, controversy or conspiracy theories. Family and friends pay tribute to their lost loved ones in the film, detailing their painful, touching and joyful memories. 'Nearly forty years on from the bombing of Pan Am 103, this film shines a long overdue light on some of the people and personal stories behind the bombing,' said Clare Sillery, the BBC's Head of Commissioning, Documentaries. A doc that offers personal perspectives on Lockerbie is especially timely in the wake of complaints that a recent Sky and Peacock drama with Colin Firth about the disaster, Lockerbie: A Search For Truth, was insensitive. Two Rivers boss Alan Clements exec produces and said it is important the voices in the film continue to be heard: 'We feel extremely proud that the families in this film have given Two Rivers such open access to their stories, many of them speaking for the first time.' Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning BBC Scotland added: 'It was an atrocity which shocked the world and changed lives forever. Our documentary will honor the memory of those lost, and tell the stories of those left behind, with the greatest of care.' The 60-minute film will be in the BBC One, BBC Scotland and iPlayer at some point this year. The BBC has previously announced a factual drama about the investigation into the bombing of Pan Am flight 103. World Productions is making the six-parter, which is for the BBC in the UK and Netflix globally. Best of Deadline The 2025 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About The Nominations, Ceremony, Date & Host 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
