The BBC announced it will not air a documentary titled Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, citing concerns over impartiality regarding its content. The film, which highlights the experiences of medical professionals in Gaza during the ongoing conflict, was initially set for broadcast in February but has remained shelved.
Commissioned by the BBC and produced by Basement Films, the decision to withdraw the documentary came after public comments made by the film’s creators at the Sheffield Documentary Festival. In a statement, the BBC emphasized its commitment to impartial reporting in the Middle East, stating that broadcasting the film could compromise its integrity and standards.
Despite its initial commissioning over a year ago, the BBC paused the project in April pending a review into another Gaza-related documentary. While discussions were ongoing to potentially air parts of the film within news segments, they ultimately concluded that moving forward would risk the perception of bias.
Ben de Pear, founder of Basement Films, expressed disappointment, accusing BBC Director General Tim Davie of making editorial choices based on public relations rather than journalistic principles. He criticized the BBC for what he perceives as a failure in its core mission of news reporting.
While the BBC expressed gratitude towards the doctors and contributors involved, it reiterated its intention to continue providing impartial coverage of events in Gaza.
Source: www.bbc.com
