BBC staff in REVOLT as over 100 anonymous employees claim broadcaster has pro-Israel bias

The open letter, which was signed by 230 members of the media industry, criticised the broadcaster for failing to provide “fair and accurate” coverage of events in Gaza and of “dehumanising Palestinians”.

It said that the BBC was not following its own editorial standards, demanding they start reporting “without fear or favour”.

Seen by The Independent, it said: “Basic journalistic tenets have been lacking when it comes to holding Israel to account for its actions.

“The consequences of inadequate coverage are significant. Every television report, article and radio interview that has failed to robustly challenge Israeli claims has systematically dehumanised Palestinians.”

The letter, also signed by historians, actors, academics and politicians, called on the BBC to implement a series of editorial commitments, including: “Reiterating that Israel does not give external journalists access to Gaza; making it clear when there is insufficient evidence to back up Israeli claims; making clear where Israel is the perpetrator in article headlines; including regular historical context predating October 2023; and robustly challenging Israeli government and military representatives in all interviews.”

It also noted that the BBC “is licence fee funded, and the erosion of its own editorial standards has put its impartiality and independence at serious risk”.

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The broadcaster denied these claims. A spokesman said: “When we make mistakes or have made changes to the way we report, we are transparent.

“We are also very clear with our audiences on the limitations put on our reporting – including the lack of access into Gaza and restricted access to parts of Lebanon, and our continued efforts to get reporters into those areas.”

In September, a report found that the BBC repeatedly downplayed Palestinian terrorism whilst presenting Israel as an aggressive nation.

The research led by British lawyer Trevor Asserson found that Hamas’ actions were given “far less weight” than the Israeli Defence Force’s.

“For the BBC, there is just one type of terrorism, it seems, that is not terrorism, and that is when Jews are the targets,” the campaign group said.

The report also revealed that the cooperation breached its own editorial guidelines over 1,500 times during the height of the conflict.