Complaint
This bulletin included a report which focused on the effects on civilians of recent Israeli air strikes on Gaza. A viewer complained that the omission of contextual information, such as the reasons behind Israel’s choice of targets, the threat posed by Hamas and the legal framework governing such actions, resulted in anti-Israeli bias. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the BBC’s editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
The report’s intention to explore the impact of the Israeli air strikes on the civilian population of Gaza was made clear to viewers. In the ECU’s judgement it explored the topic with due impartiality. The ECU noted that the Israeli government view on the air strikes and the rationale for their targeting was made clear elsewhere in the bulletin.
Not upheld