Tim Davie Archives - CrossFireArarbia

Why Did BBC Chop Interview With Ilan Pappé?

CrossFireArabia
November 19, 2024

The BBC has canceled a scheduled interview with renowned historian Ilan Pappé, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” The interview was meant to feature on BBC Radio 4 as part of a history program discussing Britain’s historical role in Palestine.

Pappé, the director of the European Centre for Palestine Studies at the University of Exeter, expressed his disappointment on Facebook. “I thought the days of the messiah had arrived when BBC Radio 4 wanted to interview me,” he wrote. “Lo and behold, just before the interview, it was canceled for ‘unforeseen circumstances.’ Well, we know what they are.”

In response to the abrupt cancellation, Pappé addressed the program’s producer in a message: “The day the BBC will be willing to interview me will be the day the BBC will be trusted once more by the Palestinians as a credible source”, hinting at the BBC’s bias against the Palestinian people according to the Quds News Network.

The cancellation occurs at a time when the BBC is facing mounting criticism for its coverage of the Gaza genocide. Just two weeks ago, over 100 BBC staff members said the broadcaster was favoring Israel in its reporting. In a letter to Director General Tim Davie and CEO Deborah Turness, staff criticized the lack of “basic journalistic tenets” in holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza.

“The consequences of inadequate coverage are significant,” the letter stated. “Every television report, article, and radio interview that has failed to robustly challenge Israeli claims has systematically dehumanized Palestinians.” The letter emphasized the need for evidence-based journalism to ensure balanced reporting on the genocide.

Ilan Pappé, known for his outspoken critiques of Israeli policies and as the author of The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, has long examined the historical and political dynamics of the Israeli occupation. While the BBC has not provided further details about the cancellation, the decision has added to the growing concerns about western media accountability and neutrality in covering the Palestinian cause.

News

100 Staffers Accuse BBC of Bias

CrossFireArabia
November 3, 2024

The BBC has been accused by more than 100 staffers of providing Israel favorable coverage in its reporting on the war against the Gaza Strip, calling on the broadcaster to “recommit to fairness, accuracy, and impartiality.”

The letter ent to BBC Director General Tim Davie was signed by more than 230 members of the media industry, including 101 anonymous BBC staff, journalists from other media organizations as well as historians, actors, academics and politicians, according to a report that was first published Friday by The Independent newspaper.

Over 100 BBC staff have accused the network of pro-Israel bias in its Gaza coverage, stating in an open letter that the reporting on the Israeli war puts the BBC's 'independence at risk'https://t.co/5550pNdqlN
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) November 3, 2024

It criticized the news outlet for failing its editorial standards by lacking “consistently fair and accurate evidence-based journalism in its coverage of Gaza.”

It also urged the BBC to report “without fear or favour” and to “recommit to the highest editorial standards – with emphasis on fairness, accuracy, and due impartiality.”

“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,” it said.

The BBC denied the claims, insisting it “strives to live up to our responsibility to deliver the most trusted and impartial news.”

A spokesperson 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.”

The BBC is among other British media organizations that have been criticized over the past year for its Gaza coverage.

Other signatories on the list include the historian William Dalrymple, Catherine Happer, a senior lecturer in sociology and director of media at the University of Glasgow, Rizwana Hamid, director at the Centre for Media Monitoring, and broadcaster John Nicolson, according to The Independent.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued a devastating offensive against Gaza since an attack last year by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas,

More than 43,300 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 102,000 injured, according to local health authorities.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.