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.”
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