The report highlights a “deeply worrying pattern of bias” against Israel following the October 7, 2023, massacre of 1,200 people by Hamas.
The report claims that the BBC associated Israel with “genocide” 14 times more frequently than Hamas, despite Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties and Hamas’ explicit goal of eradicating the Jewish population of Israel. Additionally, the BBC accused Israel of war crimes four times more often than Hamas, even though Hamas terrorists were filmed committing such crimes.
The term “terrorist organization” was used to describe Hamas only 3.2% of the time, despite its classification as a terrorist organization by the British government.
The BBC’s Arabic-language channel was particularly noted for its bias against Israel, with reports from its reporters praising Hamas’ acts of terrorism without disclosing this bias to viewers.
BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen and international correspondent Lyse Doucet were both criticized for downplaying Hamas terrorism, with Doucet specifically accused of minimizing the October 7 atrocities.
Following the report’s release, Conservative MPs in Parliament have called for action. Shadow Deputy Prime Minister Sir Oliver Dowden emphasized the need for accountability, stating that license-fee payers should expect the BBC to adhere to its editorial guidelines. MP Greg Smith urged Ofcom and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to use all available measures to ensure greater compliance with the BBC's neutrality and fairness standards.
A BBC spokesperson responded by stating that the organization would “carefully consider” the report but expressed “serious questions” about its methodology.
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