Wednesday, 18 February 2015

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GAZA: A Complaint to the BBC. – Tim Veater

GAZA: A Complaint to the BBC. – Tim Veater

“I am sick and tired of the BBC’s biased reporting of Israel issues in general and its aggressive action against civilians in Gaza in particular. In today”s Radio 4 news yet again the Hamas rockets was the main story despite the fact they have killed no one, whilst over one hundred Palestinian fatalities are hardly mentioned. The news from this area always is given an Israeli slant, as if the BBC is just an outlet for its suave spokesperson and propaganda, not helped by the fact that English-speaking Palestinians are seldom interviewed. Even handedness requires that both sides speak English or both have translators. The slant is sometimes subtle as when this morning’s news said “Israel PROMISED to continue the offensive” rather than the more appropriate “warned” or “threatened”. Last night your correspondent reported from an Israeli burnt out petrol station with convenient “rent-a-crowd” which created an impression of devastation despite the fact that NO ONE had been even i
njured. The violence, sophistication and injustice cannot be compared yet the BBC in all its programming still presents the “Israel victim state” story line. This is not fair and it is not right. I know my complaint will have no effect but I sincerely hope it is one of THOUSANDS to make someone in your deeply flawed organisation reflect the truth and oppose this pernicious killing, bullying, thieving, Zionist state that apparently the BBC supports, along with it would seem some very dubious characters and activities.”
To which this automated reply has so far been received. When the proper reply has arrived (“within two weeks”) I will post it below. I am hopeful if anyone else is concerned by the biased and partisan nature of the reporting of the Israeli offensive, they also let the BBC know how they feel.
“Thanks for contacting the BBC. This is an automated email confirming we have received the complaint below and submitted in this name via www.bbc.co.uk/complaints. Please do not reply to this email since it is generated from an unmonitored address. If you believe you have received this in error please contact us using our webform at www.bbc.co.uk/complaints.”
“We attach the text of the complaint for your records and will normally include it in our overnight report of all today’s audience reaction. This is circulated to BBC staff tomorrow (with your personal details removed) and ensures your points will reach the right people quickly. We aim normally to reply within 10 working days (around 2 weeks) depending on the nature of your complaint.”
“To make sure we use the licence fee efficiently we may not investigate every issue in detail, and for consistency may send the same reply if others have also complained about the same issue. For our full complaints procedures and how we consider the issues raised in feedback please read www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/”

GAZA: A Complaint to the BBC. – Tim Veater
GAZA: A Complaint to the BBC. – Tim Veater

“I am sick and tired of the BBC’s biased reporting of Israel issues in general and its aggressive action against civilians in Gaza in particular. In today”s Radio 4 news yet again the Hamas rockets was the main story despite the fact they have killed no one, whilst over one hundred Palestinian fatalities are hardly mentioned. The news from this area always is given an Israeli slant, as if the BBC is just an outlet for its suave spokesperson and propaganda, not helped by the fact that English-speaking Palestinians are seldom interviewed. Even handedness requires that both sides speak English or both have translators. The slant is sometimes subtle as when this morning’s news said “Israel PROMISED to continue the offensive” rather than the more appropriate “warned” or “threatened”. Last night your correspondent reported from an Israeli burnt out petrol station with convenient “rent-a-crowd” which created an impression of devastation despite the fact that NO ONE had been even i
njured. The violence, sophistication and injustice cannot be compared yet the BBC in all its programming still presents the “Israel victim state” story line. This is not fair and it is not right. I know my complaint will have no effect but I sincerely hope it is one of THOUSANDS to make someone in your deeply flawed organisation reflect the truth and oppose this pernicious killing, bullying, thieving, Zionist state that apparently the BBC supports, along with it would seem some very dubious characters and activities.”
To which this automated reply has so far been received. When the proper reply has arrived (“within two weeks”) I will post it below. I am hopeful if anyone else is concerned by the biased and partisan nature of the reporting of the Israeli offensive, they also let the BBC know how they feel.
“Thanks for contacting the BBC. This is an automated email confirming we have received the complaint below and submitted in this name via www.bbc.co.uk/complaints. Please do not reply to this email since it is generated from an unmonitored address. If you believe you have received this in error please contact us using our webform at www.bbc.co.uk/complaints.”
“We attach the text of the complaint for your records and will normally include it in our overnight report of all today’s audience reaction. This is circulated to BBC staff tomorrow (with your personal details removed) and ensures your points will reach the right people quickly. We aim normally to reply within 10 working days (around 2 weeks) depending on the nature of your complaint.”
“To make sure we use the licence fee efficiently we may not investigate every issue in detail, and for consistency may send the same reply if others have also complained about the same issue. For our full complaints procedures and how we consider the issues raised in feedback please read www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/”

UPDATED: 2 Responses to GAZA: A Complaint to the BBC. – Tim Veater

comments first

2 Responses to GAZA: A Complaint to the BBC. – Tim Veater

  1. Tim Veater says:
    As promised the (rather anodyne) BBC reply on the 15th July, 2014:
    “Dear Mr Veater
    Thank you for contacting us about the recent escalation in violence in Gaza and southern Israel.
    We have received a wide range of feedback about our coverage of this story across our television and radio programmes and the BBC News website. In order to use our TV licence fee resources efficiently, this response aims to answer the key concerns, but we apologise in advance if it doesn’t address your specific points in the manner you would prefer.
    BBC News has reported extensively on Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza. Reports on the BBC News Channel, on BBC One’s main news bulletins and during radio news bulletins have detailed the series of airstrikes on Gaza. We have reported on the mounting civilian deaths and casualties following Israel Defence Force airstrikes, and on the infrastructural destruction of an already isolated and densely populated area.
    Our reporting has followed the unfolding of these events, as information has become available, as part of our very extensive coverage. Across this coverage we have heard from those who believe Israel’s response has been disproportionate and amounts to collective punishment of the Palestinians, as well as from those who disagree.
    We have reported on the context of the conflict in light of Israel’s continuing blockade of the strip and on the resulting socio-economic deprivation. We have also detailed the considerable differences between Hamas and Israel’s respective military capabilities and have detailed Israel’s modern defence systems, such as Iron Dome:
    BBC News has also examined the cause of the conflict, as seen by each side, including the impact of the blockade and the occupation. We believe we have reported on these issues in a fair and impartial manner.
    Please be assured we raised your concerns with senior editorial staff at BBC News.
    Thank you, once again, for taking the time to contact us.
    Kind Regards
    NB This is sent from an outgoing account only which is not monitored. You cannot reply to this email address but if necessary please contact us via our webform quoting any case number we provided.”
  2. Tim Veater says:
    You notice in reply to the charge of bias, it says, “We believe we have reported on these issues in a fair and impartial manner.” Oh yes.
    Can’t remember them reporting this: http://www.imemc.org/article/68469“14.7.14
    Several Israeli military jeeps invaded, on Monday morning, the Sammoua’ town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Medical sources said the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition at Monir Ahmad Hamdan al-Badarin, 21, causing serious injuries, and left him bleeding onto the ground until he uttered his last breath. Local medics arrived at the scene before the young man died of his wounds, but Israeli soldiers prevented them from reaching him, until he died nearly 40 minutes later.”
    Haven’t seen them report this: “As Israel continues its assault on the people of Gaza:
    –193 Palestinians have been killed, including 36 children
    –Among those killed: 18 people from a single family (including 6 children and 3 women, one of whom was pregnant) and 9 people watching the World Cup at a cafe
    –1,361 Palestinians have been injured (including 386 children)
    –73 schools in Gaza have been hit by Israeli airstrikes
    –1,255 homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, and tens of thousands of people have been displaced
    –600,000 people are at risk of losing their water supply” Source:https://www.facebook.com/pages/If-Americans-Knew/32975139631?fref=nf
    =================

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