BBC Chair calls for ‘independent review’ of Middle East coverage

Dr Samir Shah, the Chair of the BBC Board, has called for an “independent review” of the corporation’s Middle East coverage in the wake of the withdrawal of a controversial documentary on Gaza.

Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone was pulled from the iPlayer after it emerged that the film’s teenage narrator, Abdullah Al-Yazouri, was the son of a Hamas government official.

Appearing in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Shah admitted “serious failings” on the part of both the BBC and Hoyo Films, the independent production company that it contracted to make the film.

But he also suggested that the scandal could prompt a “thematic review” of the corporation’s approach to the Middle East saying: “This warrants a proper, independent review of our coverage.”

In making his point, Shah referenced previous “thematic reviews”, including of its coverage of issues around migration and of taxation and government spending, and indicated that he felt the next review should focus on Middle Eastern coverage, adding: “We get a lot of complaints about our coverage from all sides.”

Such a broad review will not be part of the report commissioned by the board concerning the documentary, set to be authored by former BBC Northern Ireland chief Peter Johnston.

However, BBC Director General Tim Davie, who appeared alongside Shah at the hearing, was quick to defend the broadcaster’s track record.

He said: “Overall trust in BBC News remains very high...we’re the most trusted brand in the world.

"I think we’re doing a great job with out coverage.

"Nothing is more important than that we’re trusted… I am proud of how we’re covering some of these polarised, fiendishly difficult events.”

Davie also said that BBC journalists face “enormous pressure” and “ferocious lobbying” in their coverage on contentious issues, but insisted that the corporation does not “bow to lobbies from either side”.

Elsewhere in the proceedings, Shah directly addressed the controversy around the documentary, calling the scandal a “dagger to the heart of the BBC’s reputation as impartial and trustworthy”, while Davie said it was still seeking responses to “unanswered questions” about the financing of the film.

Concerns have been raised about the prospect of public money being diverted to Hamas during the production of the film after it emerged that Hoyo compensated Al-Yazouri, via his sister’s bank account, for his narration.

Davie maintained that the BBC had only made one payment in relation to the film – a standard payment to the filmmaker to cover a licence fee – and that it was seeking a response to “unanswered questions” about expenditure by Hoyo.

He added: “That should have been declared, transparency was lacking.

"There were unanswered questions from the BBC that should have been followed up and answered.”

Moreover, he indicated that there is “still a question” as to whether Hoyo deliberately mislead the BBC, a prospect which will be investigated by Johnston’s report.