Latest news with #Gaza:HowtoSurviveaWarZone
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC staff in 'open revolt' over axed Gaza documentary airing on Channel 4
It's been claimed that staff at the BBC are in an 'open revolt' after the broadcaster scrapped a documentary about Gaza which will now be shown on Channel 4 Staff at the BBC are said to be in an 'open revolt' after the broadcaster decided to scrap a documentary about Gaza, according to MailOnline. On Saturday, it was revealed that Channel 4 will now air the said documentary instead, which was earlier commissioned by the BBC. Gaza: Doctors Under Attack was created by two Emmy award-winning filmmakers and commissioned by the BBC over the year ago. However, it's been claimed that the corporation had put a pause on production in April after an investigation was launched into another documentary, titled Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone. Following this, Channel 4 will now be broadcasting Gaza: Doctors Under Attack on Wednesday, July 2, at 10pm. But the BBC's decision is said to have left a bad taste in their staff's mouths and they are reportedly in uproar over the broadcaster not showing the documentary on their channels. The aforementioned publication has claimed that more than 300 people have reportedly signed an open letter to director-general Tim Davie to raise concern about censorship at the BBC as it pertains to reporting about Israel. An insider told MailOnline: 'The people at commissioner level who are experienced journalists and take these decisions on an almost daily basis are being overruled by people who are pretending to be journalists. 'There's open revolt [at the BBC]. [Bosses] approved the film multiple times and then delayed it at least five times but confirmed in emails that it would go out and that the delays were not due to the Johnstone report into Gaza: How to survive in a war zone. 'They said this [new documentary] was a vital film that exemplified ''public interest journalism'. After these multiple delays over six weeks they then apologised and said, ''Sorry, it is because of the Johnstone report''.' Gaza: Doctors Under Attack is a one-off episode, produced by Basement Films, that examines allegations against Israel that the nation have repeatedly targeted hospitals which is a breach of international law. The documentary was made by journalist Ramita Navai, director Karim Shah and former Channel 4 News Editor Ben De Pear. The source went on to tell MailOnline that they had to 'handle the duty of care' for doctors and medics who couldn't understand why their interviews wouldn't be going out on the BBC. 'The film has been fact-checked and complied by Channel 4 to ensure it meets the broadcaster's editorial standards and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. It was greenlit by Channel 4 Head of News and Current Affairs and Specialist Factual and Sport, Louisa Compton. She said: 'This is a meticulously reported and important film examining evidence which supports allegations of grave breaches of international law by Israeli forces that deserves to be widely seen and exemplifies Channel 4's commitment to brave and fearless journalism.' Basement Films has added: 'This is the third film we have made about the assault on Gaza since October 7th at Basement Films, and whilst none of them have been easy this became by far the most difficult. As ever we owe everything to our Palestinian colleagues on the ground; over 200 of whom have been killed by Israel, and the doctors and medics who trusted us with their stories. 'We want to apologise to the contributors and team for the long delay, and thank Channel 4 for enabling it to be seen.' Mirror have contacted both the BBC and Channel 4 for comment. A BBC spokesperson told the Mirror: "Robust discussions amongst our editorial teams about our journalism are an essential part of the editorial process. We have ongoing discussions about coverage and listen to feedback from staff and we think these conversations are best had internally. "Regarding our coverage of Gaza, the BBC is fully committed to covering the conflict impartially and has produced powerful coverage from the region. Alongside breaking news, ongoing analysis, and investigations, we have produced award winning documentaries such as Life and Death in Gaza, and Gaza 101."
South Wales Guardian
15-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
BBC boss says ‘follow the rules' after latest Lineker row
Lineker came under criticism on Tuesday after he shared, then deleted, a post on his Instagram account from the group, Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, titled: 'Zionism explained in two minutes.' Rats, linked to disease and dirt, has been used to represent Jews in antisemitic propaganda throughout history, including by the Nazis in 1930s Germany. Lineker's agent told the BBC the presenter immediately deleted the post when he learned about the image's symbolism, which he had previously not appreciated. Mr Davie, after giving a wide-ranging speech, speaking of trust, disinformation and impartiality, was asked if Lineker had broken the BBC's rules. Mr Davie, speaking at The Lowry arts centre in Salford, said: 'The BBC's reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. 'And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.' Charity, the Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for Lineker to be sacked. A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'Gary Lineker really has the worst luck when it comes to campaigning for his causes without aligning himself with extremists and antisemites. 'Not only does this video deliberately misrepresent Zionism — the belief that Jews have the same right to self-determination as everyone else — but it adds a rat emoji in doing so. 'Perhaps Mr Lineker is not as naive or accident prone as he might like us to believe. 'As the BBC's highest-paid presenter and owner of a major media enterprise, maybe he knows exactly what he's doing. 'We will be submitting a complaint to the BBC over this latest post. Having looked the other way until now, at this point, it is clear that Mr Lineker's continued association with the BBC is untenable. He must go.' Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government's new asylum policy. And he was among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC, to re-broadcast a documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, to BBC iPlayer. The documentary was pulled from the BBC'S streaming service in February after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The corporation has apologised and admitted 'serious flaws' in the making of the film and the matter is still subject to an internal investigation. Last November Lineker announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day, but will still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage. Lineker is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of the popular The Rest is History series and its spin-offs about Politics, Football, Entertainment and Money. Lineker's agent has been contacted by PA Media for comment.
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
BBC boss says ‘follow the rules' after latest Lineker row
Lineker came under criticism on Tuesday after he shared, then deleted, a post on his Instagram account from the group, Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, titled: 'Zionism explained in two minutes.' Rats, linked to disease and dirt, has been used to represent Jews in antisemitic propaganda throughout history, including by the Nazis in 1930s Germany. Lineker's agent told the BBC the presenter immediately deleted the post when he learned about the image's symbolism, which he had previously not appreciated. Mr Davie, after giving a wide-ranging speech, speaking of trust, disinformation and impartiality, was asked if Lineker had broken the BBC's rules. Mr Davie, speaking at The Lowry arts centre in Salford, said: 'The BBC's reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. 'And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.' Charity, the Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for Lineker to be sacked. A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'Gary Lineker really has the worst luck when it comes to campaigning for his causes without aligning himself with extremists and antisemites. 'Not only does this video deliberately misrepresent Zionism — the belief that Jews have the same right to self-determination as everyone else — but it adds a rat emoji in doing so. 'Perhaps Mr Lineker is not as naive or accident prone as he might like us to believe. 'As the BBC's highest-paid presenter and owner of a major media enterprise, maybe he knows exactly what he's doing. 'We will be submitting a complaint to the BBC over this latest post. Having looked the other way until now, at this point, it is clear that Mr Lineker's continued association with the BBC is untenable. He must go.' Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government's new asylum policy. And he was among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC, to re-broadcast a documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, to BBC iPlayer. The documentary was pulled from the BBC'S streaming service in February after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The corporation has apologised and admitted 'serious flaws' in the making of the film and the matter is still subject to an internal investigation. Last November Lineker announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day, but will still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage. Lineker is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of the popular The Rest is History series and its spin-offs about Politics, Football, Entertainment and Money. Lineker's agent has been contacted by PA Media for comment.
South Wales Argus
14-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
BBC boss says ‘follow the rules' after latest Lineker row
Lineker came under criticism on Tuesday after he shared, then deleted, a post on his Instagram account from the group, Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, titled: 'Zionism explained in two minutes.' Rats, linked to disease and dirt, has been used to represent Jews in antisemitic propaganda throughout history, including by the Nazis in 1930s Germany. Lineker's agent told the BBC the presenter immediately deleted the post when he learned about the image's symbolism, which he had previously not appreciated. Mr Davie, after giving a wide-ranging speech, speaking of trust, disinformation and impartiality, was asked if Lineker had broken the BBC's rules. Mr Davie, speaking at The Lowry arts centre in Salford, said: 'The BBC's reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. 'And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.' Charity, the Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for Lineker to be sacked. A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'Gary Lineker really has the worst luck when it comes to campaigning for his causes without aligning himself with extremists and antisemites. BBC director general Tim Davie addressed trust, disinformation and impartiality in a wide-ranging speech (Andrew Milligan PA) 'Not only does this video deliberately misrepresent Zionism — the belief that Jews have the same right to self-determination as everyone else — but it adds a rat emoji in doing so. 'Perhaps Mr Lineker is not as naive or accident prone as he might like us to believe. 'As the BBC's highest-paid presenter and owner of a major media enterprise, maybe he knows exactly what he's doing. 'We will be submitting a complaint to the BBC over this latest post. Having looked the other way until now, at this point, it is clear that Mr Lineker's continued association with the BBC is untenable. He must go.' Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government's new asylum policy. And he was among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC, to re-broadcast a documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, to BBC iPlayer. The documentary was pulled from the BBC'S streaming service in February after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The corporation has apologised and admitted 'serious flaws' in the making of the film and the matter is still subject to an internal investigation. Last November Lineker announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day, but will still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage. Lineker is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of the popular The Rest is History series and its spin-offs about Politics, Football, Entertainment and Money. Lineker's agent has been contacted by PA Media for comment.
Evening Standard
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Evening Standard
Growing calls for BBC to sack Gary Lineker over 'antisemitic' social media post
Earlier this year, Lineker signed an open letter to the BBC, calling on it to reinstate a documentary called Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone which was pulled after it emerged that a boy who featured in the documentary was the son of a Hamas official.
