Gaza documentary breached BBC editorial guidelines of accuracy, review finds
The programme, Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone, was removed from BBC iPlayer in February after it emerged that the child narrator, Abdullah, is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamas's deputy minister of agriculture.
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According to the BBC, the review, conducted by Peter Johnston, the director of editorial complaints and reviews which is independent of BBC News, said the programme was in breach of accuracy for 'failing to disclose information about the child narrator's father's position within the Hamas-run government'.
But the review found no other breaches of editorial guidelines, including breaches of impartiality, and also found no evidence that 'outside interests' 'inappropriately impacted on the programme'.
The report said that 'careful consideration of the requirements of due impartiality was undertaken in this project given the highly contested nature of the subject matter'.
Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone, which also aired on BBC Two, was made for the BBC by independent production company Hoyo Films.
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The detail of the background information regarding the narrator's father is deemed as 'critical information', which the report says was not shared with the BBC before broadcast.
The BBC said the report finds that Hoyo Films did not 'intentionally' mislead the BBC about the position of the narrator's father, but says the independent production company 'bears most responsibility for this failure'.
However, it further adds that the BBC also 'bears some responsibility'.
The BBC's director-general Tim Davie said: 'Peter Johnston's report identifies a significant failing in relation to accuracy in this documentary. I thank him for his thorough work and I am sorry for this failing.
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'We will now take action on two fronts – fair, clear and appropriate actions to ensure proper accountability and the immediate implementation of steps to prevent such errors being repeated.'
BBC director-general Tim Davie (PA)
The BBC board said: 'We thank Peter Johnston for his work. His report is a comprehensive examination of a complex programme, the production of which spanned many months from concept through to broadcast – and is critical in laying bare the facts of what happened.
'Nothing is more important than trust and transparency in our journalism. We welcome the actions the executive are taking to avoid this failing being repeated in the future.'
Hoyo Films said in a statement that they take the report findings 'extremely seriously' and 'apologise for the mistake that resulted in a breach of the (BBC) editorial guidelines'.
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They added: 'We are pleased that the report found that there was no evidence of inappropriate influence on the content of the documentary from any third party.
'We appreciate the rigorous nature of this investigation, and its findings that Hoyo Films did not intentionally mislead the BBC, that there were no other breaches of the editorial guidelines in the programme, and that there was no evidence to suggest that the programme funds were spent other than for reasonable, production-related purposes.
Hoyo Films welcomes the report's recommendations and hope they will improve processes and prevent similar problems in the future.
'We are working closely with the BBC to see if we can find an appropriate way to bring back to iPlayer the stories of those featured in the programme.
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'Our team in Gaza risked their lives to document the devastating impact of war on children.
'Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone remains a vital account, and our contributors – who have no say in the conflict – deserve to have their voices heard.'
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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
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His agent was reportedly called just 11 minutes before the BBC's announcement - and so 'hadn't a chance to call him' before word got out. William appeared to take a swipe at this, when Vanessa introduced the topic of John's sacking: 'Apparently so. I think they forgot to tell him but that's the way the world works, isn't it?' He also spoke on complaints made against Gregg, one of which includes an allegation he once took his trousers down in front of a female coworker in a dressing room, in what she described as 'disgusting and predatory' behaviour. 'He never took his trousers down in front of me', the judge said. 'But what he always did – and I read about this when he quit – he is like a sort of Bernard Manning character, he cannot help but use the opportunity of seeing people to test out new gags, he is this sort of gag machine. 'And I don't get upset by his crazy jokes but I can see how other people might do.' Asked if he ever thought any of the jokes were too much, he said: 'No, because I can deal with it, I'm not easily offended.' Speaking about both his fellow presenters, William added, when asked by Vanessa if he ever saw anyone upset on set: 'Not at all, not at all.' When he would come in at the quarter final stages, there would be 'a really great atmosphere because you get to know the contestants', he explained. 'And I only ever saw warmth between the contestants and [Gregg] and also exactly the same with John. 'So, I never saw anything untoward or ever felt uncomfortable in any of the studios.' Interestingly, William had no doubt the show would have a future, when asked: 'Definitely. 'This is a show that is also in 85 different countries, hundreds of millions of people watch it... 'I think that the UK is one domain where MasterChef is shown. It's a global business, it's one of the biggest global food brands, it's one of the biggest global brands. 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There are also plans for the broadcaster to welcome John back later in the year with John & Lisa's Christmas Kitchen in December. Meanwhile, BBC director general Mr Davie has insisted MasterChef can still prosper despite the loss of Gregg and John. He said: 'The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done. 'These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken.' The director general added: 'I think it's a great programme that's well loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals. 'It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we've got to make sure we're in the right place in terms of the culture of the show.' A Banijay spokesperson said: 'In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. 'The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. It comes after his co-star Gregg (pictured on Good Morning Britain in 2023) hit out at the BBC after a probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him as he warned he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled 'This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.' John is said to have been the subject of multiple allegations before only one - relating to 'racist language' - was upheld, The Telegraph has reported. It comes after his co-star Gregg hit out at the BBC after a probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him as he warned he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled. The report into Gregg's behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints made, including one count of 'unwanted physical contact', leaving the BBC to admit it 'could and should have' acted sooner on the MasterChef host. The damning investigation also found two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' - including John - were upheld. While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Gregg took aim at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'. Warning it was 'dangerous' to be a 'working-class man with a direct manner' in the world of broadcasting, he said he 'won't be the last' to face cancellation. The presenter said: 'In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake. 'To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. 'For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last. 'There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. 'For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.'
