BBC receives formal complaint over removal of Gaza documentary

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has lodged a formal complaint against the BBC’s conduct in removing the Hoyo Films documentary programme Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone from its BBC iPlayer platform.

BBC under fire over Gaza

In the complaint, ICJP’s Director Tayab Ali, who is also Head of International Law at Bindmans LLP, states that the decision to remove the documentary “raises serious concerns about potential breaches of the BBC’s legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations under its Royal Charter, Editorial Guidelines, and Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code”, likely to impact upon public trust and media integrity.

The complaint outlines how the suppression of the testimony of Palestinians may constitute a failure by the BBC to uphold impartiality in ensuring that a range of perspectives are given weight and prominence.

Discounting the legitimate testimony of the 13-year-old child narrator Abdullah Al-Yazouri, based upon retroactively applied standards of familial or associational scrutiny, may breach the BBC and Ofcom requirements that contributors be treated fairly, while the lack of transparency regarding the ongoing review raises concerns.

The complaint requests that, within 14 days, the BBC:

• Outlines the specific timeline of its review process and criteria.
• Issues a formal explanation of the editorial, legal, or regulatory grounds for its decision for removal.
• Discloses any external lobbying efforts and complaints which influenced its decisions.
• Commits to applying equal standards as regards programmes relying upon Israeli narratives or including governmental or military contributors.
• Reinstates the documentary unless there is a demonstrable breach of BBC guidelines.

The storm continues to brew

The programme was first aired on BBC Two on 17 February, providing a first-hand account of the lived experiences of Palestinian children in Gaza during Israel’s military actions since October 2023. Following its release, some figures expressed criticism of the BBC and Hoyo Films for having featured as a narrator the 13-year-old Palestinian child Abdullah Al-Yazouri, whose father is Dr. Ayman Al-Yazouri, Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Gaza – a role concerned with food production relating to crops, fishing, and livestock.

The BBC’s subsequent decision to remove the documentary has been met with a wave of condemnation, with critics stating that it amounts to the unjustified suppression of Palestinian testimony.

These critics include 500 media figures whose open letter describes the film as an “essential piece of journalism”, and over 600 British Jews who called on the BBC to reinstate the programme and reject “cynical” complaints. The BBC has not provided any public evidence that the documentary contains factual inaccuracies or breaches BBC Editorial Guidelines.

Featured image via the Canary