Producer of dropped BBC Gaza documentary says broadcaster tried to gag him
Ben de Pear, former editor of Channel 4 News and executive producer of 'Gaza: Doctors Under Attack,' said he was repeatedly pressured to sign what he called a 'double gagging clause' that would have barred him and others from speaking about the BBC's decision to drop the film.
'I rejected and refused to sign the double gagging clause the BBC bosses tried multiple times to get me to sign,' de Pear wrote in a LinkedIn post.
'Not only could we have been sued for saying the BBC refused to air the film (palpably and provably true) but also if any other company had said it, the BBC could sue us.
'Not only could we not tell the truth that was already stated, but neither could others. Reader, I didn't sign it.'
Describing the film's production as a 'painful journey,' de Pear previously accused Tim Davie, BBC's director general, of taking editorial decisions he was not qualified to make.
'All the decisions about our film were not taken by journalists, they were taken by Tim Davie,' he said at conference in Sheffield. 'He is just a PR person. Tim Davie is taking editorial decisions which, frankly, he is not capable of making.'
He accused the BBC of 'failing as an institution,' calling for Davie and the corporation's senior leadership to step down.
While the BBC has not officially responded, The Guardian reported that sources close to the matter denied the broadcaster tried to gag de Pear.
One insider said the request was a standard clause requiring producers to seek BBC approval before promoting its content — a claim disputed by de Pear's company, Basement Films.
The controversy comes amid broader criticism of the BBC's handling of Gaza-related coverage.
This includes backlash over its decision to drop 'Gaza: Doctors Under Attack' because it 'risked creating a perception of partiality,' its refusal to broadcast a performance by Irish rap trio Kneecap — one member of whom faces terror charges — and its failure to interrupt the Glastonbury live feed featuring anti-Israel chants by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
On Wednesday, over 400 media professionals — including 111 BBC journalists — signed an open letter accusing the BBC of acting as 'PR for the Israeli government' and calling for the removal of BBC board member Robbie Gibb, citing conflicts of interest and editorial bias.
The letter also questioned Gibb's alleged role in the BBC's decision to drop the Gaza documentary.
Before pulling 'Gaza: Doctors Under Attack' entirely, the BBC said it had delayed the film's broadcast pending a review of another program, 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone.'
Channel 4 ultimately aired 'Gaza: Doctors Under Attack' on Wednesday night to critical acclaim.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Djokovic's daughter steals the show at Wimbledon with her victory dance
LONDON: Novak Djokovic won the match on Center Court on Saturday, but it was his 7-year-old daughter who really wowed Wimbledon. Tara Djokovic's victory dance brought a smile to dad's face. Everybody else's, too. Djokovic had just clinched his 100th Wimbledon singles win and was asked during his on-court interview to shed light on the little dance he's been doing recently. He said it's done to a song called 'Pump It Up.' 'There's a song with my kids — look my daughter's doing it right now,' a smiling Djokovic said as he looked into the crowd. 'You want to show it darling?' The TV camera then panned to Tara, who then showed everyone how it's done: pump your fists down, then left, right and overhead. The crowd roared. 'She's the master. It's a little tradition we have right now. Hopefully we can keep going so we can keep pumping more in Wimbledon.'
Al Arabiya
5 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Djokovic's daughter steals the show at Wimbledon with her victory dance
Novak Djokovic won the match on Centre Court on Saturday, but it was his 7-year-old daughter who really wowed Wimbledon. Tara Djokovic's victory dance brought a smile to dad's face–everybody else's, too. Djokovic had just clinched his 100th Wimbledon singles win and was asked during his on-court interview to shed light on the little dance he's been doing recently. He said it's done to a song called 'Pump It Up.' 'There's a song with my kids–look, my daughter's doing it right now,' a smiling Djokovic said as he looked into the crowd. 'You want to show it, darling?' The TV camera then panned to Tara, who then showed everyone how it's done: pump your fists down, then left, right, and overhead. The crowd roared. 'She's the master. It's a little tradition we have right now. Hopefully, we can keep going so we can keep pumping more in Wimbledon.'
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
British rock band Oasis reunite in Cardiff, thrilling fans
British rock band Oasis reunited in Cardiff on Friday as the Gallagher brothers put more than 16 years of acrimony behind them to deliver a hit-packed set that took thousands of fans back to the optimism and swagger of the 1990s. The Manchester band defined the Britpop revival of guitar music, before tensions between Noel Gallagher, the band's main songwriter, and his younger brother, lead singer Liam, led to its split. The group walked onto the stage in the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium and launched into 'Hello,' sounding as tight as at the height of their fame. Interaction with the audience was minimal during the two-hour performance. Interaction between the brothers was nonexistent — until a very brief hug at the end. The crowd, largely comprising middle-aged fans revisiting their youth, sang along to hits including 'Cigarettes & Alcohol,' 'Supersonic' and 'Roll With It.' At the end of 'Live Forever,' a picture of Liverpool and Portugal footballer Diogo Jota — who was killed in a car accident on Thursday — was shown on the screens behind the band. Oasis ended with 'Don't Look Back in Anger,' 'Wonderwall' and 'Champagne Supernova,' all pulled from their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, the biggest-selling record in Britain in the 1990s. 'Thank you for putting up with us over the years,' Liam said. Adam Williams, 42, from Wrexham, North Wales, last saw the band in 2008. 'They were probably better than they were then,' he said. Oasis had announced the shows nearly a year ago, setting off a frenzy for tickets. 'The thing that makes the Oasis reunion special is the thing that makes any reunion special: it has to be something that people really want and something that people thought they'd never see. And Oasis ticks both those boxes,' music journalist Mark Sutherland told Reuters. Fans started to gather early outside the stadium, where official Adidas-Oasis football shirts were on sale for £85 ($116). 'They're more than a band, it's almost like a movement,' said Matt Hobman, 48. 'It's like a piece of Britishness.' The Gallaghers were joined by original member Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, as well as Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker on stage. Many fans waited for hours in online queues to buy tickets last year, only to find prices had jumped when they finally had a chance to get them. Britain's competition watchdog launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over the sale, including the use of 'dynamic pricing' to hike costs at the last minute. 'Are you having a good time?' Liam asked the crowd. 'Was it worth the 40,000 pounds you paid for the ticket?' Oasis play one more show in Cardiff before the tour moves to the Gallaghers' home city of Manchester. It continues in Britain and Ireland, followed by shows across North and South America, Asia, and Australia.
