A BBC documentary on Gaza has been temporarily removed from BBC iPlayer as the broadcaster carries out further investigations.
The documentary, titled Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone, faced scrutiny after it was revealed that one of its key contributors, 13-year-old Abdullah Al-Yazouri, is the son of a senior Hamas official.
The revelation follows an investigation by journalist David Collier.
The Investigation That Sparked Controversy
The documentary, which aired on BBC Two, was intended to highlight the struggles faced by children in Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Abdullah narrates the program, offering a personal perspective on the warzone.
However, investigative journalist David Collier uncovered that Abdullah’s father, Ayman Alyazouri, is the deputy minister of agriculture for Hamas.
After Collier’s findings, the BBC acknowledged the omission of this detail from the documentary, leading to the program’s removal from iPlayer for further review.
A statement from the BBC said they were conducting additional due diligence with the production company involved.
Concerns Raised About Due Diligence
The controversy surrounding the documentary has led to further scrutiny, particularly regarding the BBC’s research and vetting process.
A group of industry professionals, including producers Neil Blair, Danny Cohen, and Leo Pearlman, have raised concerns with the BBC, questioning if the corporation knew about Abdullah’s father’s ties to Hamas, a designated terrorist group.
They have also requested clarification on whether the BBC obtained permission from Hamas to film in Gaza.
BBC’s Response and Apology
In response to the backlash, the BBC issued an apology for failing to disclose Abdullah’s father’s affiliation with Hamas in the original documentary.
The broadcaster also edited the documentary’s accompanying text to provide clearer information.
Government’s Reaction
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the challenges faced by broadcasters when covering sensitive topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
She emphasized that the BBC typically exercises caution in its approach, and she expressed intent to discuss the issue further with the broadcaster.
This story is developing, and further updates are expected.