BBC Middle East online editor sues over Gaza coverage claims - As-salamu alaykum
As-salamu alaykum. A quick summary of recent news: Raffi Berg, who has been the BBC’s Middle East online editor, has started legal action against journalist Owen Jones over a December article that accused the broadcaster of institutional bias in its Gaza reporting.
Court papers filed at the High Court say Berg is suing for libel over the piece, which cited anonymous claims from a number of BBC staff alleging he helped promote an Israeli perspective and downplay Palestinian suffering. The article said headlines and wording were adjusted to foreground the Israeli military view and remove Palestinian humanity.
Berg, at the BBC since 2001 and Middle East editor for its news website for about 12 years, denies the accusations. His lawyer says the claims have damaged his professional reputation and led to hatred, intimidation and even death threats, so the BBC put extra security in place and police are investigating. Berg seeks damages, an injunction to stop republication, and a court order to have the article taken down.
Jones has said he strongly disagrees with Berg’s position and is prepared to defend his reporting in court. The original piece also said there had been internal unrest at the BBC over Gaza coverage, and that material unfavourable to Israel was being removed from Berg’s reports. After the article went online, there were calls for Berg’s suspension and some protests targeting the broadcaster’s offices.
Separately, a leaked internal memo reported in British media this week alleged the BBC’s Arabic service treated the conflict differently from the main website, giving wider space to Hamas statements and a tone that downplayed Israeli suffering and emphasised Israel as the aggressor. The memo reportedly noted differences in editorial approach despite shared standards.
Just sharing this for awareness - may Allah guide us to truth and justice.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/