BBC updates page still promoting ‘14,000 babies will die in 48 hours’ falsehood
The claim about Gaza was made by the UN's Humanitarian Chief in May - but was found to be based on a report saying 14,000 young children were at risk of malnutrition over a year
The BBC has provided additional information on a page featuring its video of a senior UN representative incorrectly claiming that in Gaza “14,000 babies will die in the next 48 hours unless we can reach them”, following a Jewish News request for clarification by the broadcaster.
In May, Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Humanitarian Chief, told the BBC that 14,000 babies in Gaza would die in a two-day period unless UN aid could reach them. The claim was made headlines around the world.
However, when the BBC subsequently asked for clarification on the figure, it was directed to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report which stated something very different – that 14,000 children aged 0-6 were at risk of severe acute malnutrition over the course of a year – not 48 hours – if food aid was not received.
Jewish News found yesterday that a video of Fletcher making that claim was still available on the BBC News website – without any update as to the inaccuracy of his statement.
After Jewish News contacted the BBC, the corporation confirmed that “we have added a note to the relevant page, making clear that the figures were later clarified.” While the update does link to the BBC news story which shows that Fletcher’s claim was inaccurate, it does not specifically mention that inaccuracy, but manages to add a statement from the UN spokesperson which avoided a direct answer as to why Fletcher made such a claim, saying “We are pointing to the imperative of getting supplies in to save an estimated 14,000 babies suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Gaza, as the IPC partnership [Integrated Food Security Phase Classification] has warned about. We need to get the supplies in as soon as possible, ideally within the next 48 hours.”
Two weeks ago The Telegraph published a dossier from Michael Prescott, a former independent adviser to the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board, containing a significant number of occasions where the Corporation had shown anti-Israel bias. One of the examples identified was connected to Tom Fletcher’s inaccurate claim, which the BBC was aware was inaccurate, given its follow-up questions to the UN on the subject. However, Prescott wrote that “despite this, Fletcher’s inaccurate claim was put to Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon on Newsnight. Why, when the BBC knew the suggestion was wrong?”
Prescott identified that in the same episode of Newsnight the BBC ran a story about a Gazan baby, Siwar Ashour, suffering from allergies and a congenital condition at risk of severe malnutrition.
“By the time of broadcast, the BBC already knew the story was out of date and that baby Siwar had received the necessary formula a week earlier, she was maintaining weight and had been discharged from hospital”, Prescott wrote.
“None of that was revealed in the programme – meaning the BBC had broadcast another inaccurate story.”
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.
