Prefer Jewish News on Google
BBC chair says Arabic channel facing independent review
Samir Shah spoke to Times Radio
BBC chair Samir Shah has confirmed the BBC’s Arabic service is to be the subject of an independent review.
He told Times Radio: “The [BBC] Arabic service, we are looking at it, we’ve been examining it.
“I think this whole business of how we’ve covered Israel-Gaza is a proper thing to examine thoroughly, which is why we’re going to identify… we’re going to get hold of an independent figure to look at our coverage.”
It is understood that this “thematic review” of the standard of the BBC’s Gaza coverage will be drafted for presentation to the BBC Board, and will be “independent and published in full”.
The announcement comes two months after Shah told the Culture Media and Sport Committee that a thematic review was likely.
BBC Arabic has been at the centre of a string of scandals with its reporting on the Hamas-Israel conflict including a recent revelation that a freelancer used by the channel had posted in support of the burning of Jews “like Hitler did.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
