The BBC has made the controversial decision to cancel the documentary ‘Gaza: Doctors Under Attack,’ citing concerns over impartiality and ongoing investigations into related films.
BBC Cancels ‘Gaza: Doctors Under Attack’ Documentary
For the second time this year, the BBC has announced that it will not proceed with the documentary film Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, which focuses on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Background of the Documentary
The film was greenlit last year by Basement Films, a production company led by former Channel 4 News editor Ben de Pear. It aimed to highlight the challenges faced by medics in Gaza. However, production was halted in April due to controversy surrounding another documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, which was criticized for being narrated by the child of a Hamas minister.
Ongoing Investigations
A BBC investigation into How to Survive a Warzone is still underway. Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints, is currently reviewing the issues that led to the film’s broadcast.
Final Decision on the Film
Recently, the BBC confirmed that it would not air Doctors Under Attack or include its content in news bulletins, stating that discussions with Basement Films had reached an impasse.
The BBC explained, “We concluded that broadcasting this material could create a perception of bias that does not align with the high standards expected of us.” They emphasized that impartiality is a core principle of BBC News, which contributes to its status as the world’s most trusted broadcaster. Consequently, ownership of the film will be transferred back to Basement Films.
Basement Films’ Response
In response, Basement Films stated that the BBC had previously approved the film for broadcast and considered it a crucial piece of public service journalism. They noted that the BBC had provided multiple release dates and that the film underwent extensive compliance checks.
“We are relieved that the BBC will finally allow this film to be released,” the company added.
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Criticism of BBC Leadership
The discussions between the BBC and Basement Films reached a critical point when De Pear publicly criticized BBC director-general Tim Davie at the Sheffield DocFest, labeling him as “just a PR person” who has interfered with editorial decisions.
De Pear expressed concern that the BBC is making decisions from a public relations perspective rather than a journalistic one, stating, “If you make decisions based on journalistic principles, you can defend them; if made on a PR basis, you cannot.”
Continued Coverage of Gaza
The BBC has spent considerable time trying to ensure that the voices of Gaza’s doctors are heard. They aimed to incorporate some of the documentary’s material into their news programs while adhering to impartiality standards.
Despite the pause in production, the BBC clarified that Gaza: Doctors Under Attack has not undergone its final pre-broadcast approval processes.
The BBC’s coverage of the Gaza crisis has elicited strong reactions from both sides, with How to Survive a Warzone exemplifying the contentious nature of the discourse. The UK’s Jewish community expressed outrage over the BBC airing a film narrated by a child with Hamas ties, while others viewed the BBC’s decision to withdraw the film as censorship that aligns with Israel’s agenda.
