The BBC has announced its decision not to air a documentary about Gaza doctors, citing impartiality concerns related to the production.
Commissioned by the BBC but produced independently by Basement Films, “Gaza: Doctors Under Attack” was initially slated for a February release. However, it has yet to be shown on any BBC platform.
In an official statement, the BBC affirmed its commitment to “impartial and fair reporting on all aspects of the Middle East conflict.”
BBC News reached out to Basement Films for comment. Founder Ben de Pear previously criticized the BBC, stating they had “utterly failed” and that journalists were “being stymied and silenced.”
The BBC has transferred the film’s ownership to Basement Films.
BBC News understands the decision to shelve the documentary was made on Thursday, following public comments from De Pear at the Sheffield Documentary Festival and director Ramita Navai’s appearance on Radio 4’s Today program discussing the Gaza conflict.
This follows the earlier removal of another Gaza documentary, “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone,” from iPlayer after its 13-year-old narrator’s connection to a Hamas official was revealed. This previous incident further contextualizes the current situation.
“Gaza: Doctors Under Attack,” also known as “Gaza: Medics Under Fire,” details the experiences of Palestinian medical professionals during the Gaza war. The film is directed by Karim Shah, Navai, and De Pear, a former Channel 4 News editor.
A Friday statement from the BBC explained that while commissioning the documentary over a year ago, they paused it in April, pending a review of a separate Gaza documentary. The BBC stated that they “waited for relevant findings before broadcasting,” aiming to share the doctors’ stories through news programs while adhering to impartiality standards.
However, the BBC concluded that airing the material now risked a perception of bias, falling short of public expectations. The statement clarified that the documentary hadn’t undergone final BBC sign-off processes, emphasizing that any future broadcast wouldn’t be a BBC production.
The BBC expressed regret at not being able to share the doctors’ stories and reiterated their commitment to impartial Gaza coverage.
De Pear, speaking at Sheffield before the decision, attributed the decision to Director-General Tim Davie, claiming Davie’s decisions were “PR-driven” rather than journalistic. Broadcast’s report details his critique.
The BBC rejected this characterization, highlighting its extensive reporting on the conflict, including investigations and documentaries.
Prominent figures, including Susan Sarandon and Gary Lineker, have publicly criticized the BBC, accusing them of censorship. An open letter signed by numerous cultural figures echoed these sentiments.
The situation unfolds amidst reports of an internal investigation into alleged bullying.