Noam Chomsky, John Pilger and Ken Loach are among 45,000 signatories who have signed an open letter to the BBC calling on its journalists to reflect the reality of Gaza’s occupation while reporting on Israel’s current assault.
MPs Andy Slaughter and Katy Clark have also signed the letter, along with musician Brian Eno and comedian and film maker Jeremy Hardy. The letter will be delivered to the BBC tomorrow (15th July) during a protest outside its Portland Place, London, headquarters.
The letter reminds the BBC that Israel is bombing a refugee population which is being held under occupation and siege. It is a population which has no army, navy or air force with which to defend itself against one of the strongest military powers in the world.
Sarah Colborne, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which will be delivering the letter, said: “These are simple facts, none of which have been present in any of the BBC’s coverage so far of Israel’s assault on Gaza.
“However, they are vital facts and their absence results in BBC coverage which is unbalanced and lacking in context. Their omission allows the BBC to present Israel’s assault as a retaliation to Palestinian rockets rather than as an enforcement of its occupation and siege.
“Truly unbiased journalism would allow its consumers to consider both options instead of presenting them with just one viewpoint, as the BBC is doing.”
Protests took place outside BBC studios in Nottingham and Manchester on 10th July, and in Bristol on 11th July, demanding balanced reporting from BBC journalists.
Tuesday’s protest at Portland Place will call on the BBC to report the truth about Israel’s occupation and siege on Gaza, instead of concealing facts from its audiences. It will take place from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
PSC’s letter to the BBC can be viewed here: https://palestinecampaign.org/sign-open-letter-bbc/ It will be addressed to the BBC’s Director General, Lord Hall.
The letter will remain on the website after Tuesday, allowing more people to sign. New signatures will be delivered to the BBC next week.