OPINION: Yes, we’re angry at the BBC but now is a time for rational heads
'This is a time of testing. We must try to keep perspective because blind fury won't help anyone', writes Sunday Times news review editor Josh Glancy in his debut column for Jewish News
Are you angry with the BBC? I’m angry with the BBC. It seems we’re all angry with the BBC at the moment. This is unusual for me, however. Generally speaking, I tend to roll my eyes whenever rows crop up over our national broadcaster, which is most weeks. I really do think the BBC plays a critical role informing and educating the British public, doing a difficult job reasonably well.
But even I lost my temper with the Beeb over its coverage of the Al Ahli Baptist hospital explosion in Gaza on 17 October.
Having spent years loftily lecturing the nation +on the perils of misinformation and disinformation; having spent a small fortune on BBC Verify and setting itself up as the arbiter of truth and reality online, when it really mattered, the BBC failed miserably, uncritically amplifying Hamas propaganda about who was responsible for the explosion and the resulting death toll.
Disinformation can have serious consequences. In this instance, rioters attacked the US embassy in Beirut. Fireworks were launched at the Israeli embassy in Ankara. President Joe Biden’s critical meeting with the Jordanian king, Abdullah II, was cancelled.
Reporters such as Jon Donnison and Jeremy Bowen – based on their extensive experience as munitions experts and watchers of Twitter videos – confidently informed us it was likely to have been an Israeli missile that hit the hospital.
The entire Middle East nearly exploded because the BBC – along with many other organisations, it should be said – simply took Hamas’s information and pressed send.
Reporters such as Jon Donnison and Jeremy Bowen – based on their extensive experience as munitions experts and watchers of Twitter videos – confidently informed us it was likely to have been an Israeli missile that hit the hospital.
The weight of evidence we’ve seen since firmly suggests the exact opposite, a view supported by Rishi Sunak and President Biden, though we may never have total confirmation.
Meanwhile the Beeb’s disinformation reporter, Marianna Spring, took to Twitter to remind us that, yes, disinformation “can have serious consequences. If you’re not sure, don’t share.” I think this is known as chutzpah.
So I’m annoyed with the BBC. You probably are too. In fact it’s fair to say you could count on one menorah the members of our community feeling affectionate towards ‘Auntie’ right now. I’ve heard reports of Jewish staffers at the Beeb expressing dismay at the internal atmosphere there. Danny Cohen, a former BBC executive, has argued that its reporting on the conflict reveals “bias” and “deep-rooted prejudice” that endangers British Jews.
And yet, it’s worth pausing for a moment here. Because everyone is in a heightened emotional state right now. We’re all ‘on tilt’ as they say in poker, reeling from the emotional pain of what happened three weeks ago.
We’ve all seen the unimaginable pictures, heard the soul-shuddering stories and felt a deep sense of Jewish trauma wash over us. The Black Shabbat of 7 October is a day that has already entered the annals of antisemitic infamy, along with Kristallnacht, Babi Yar, Clifford’s Tower. But we must try to keep our heads while all about us are losing theirs. To fight this battle strategically and rationally.
The BBC is not our enemy. Nor is it a structurally antisemitic institution. Most of the people who work there are fair-minded and trying to do a decent job at balancing coverage, and it’s worth noting that they receive masses of complaints from pro-Palestinian viewers too.
When mistakes are made, in the case of Bowen and Donnison, or the push alerts and headlines that were put out around the hospital explosion, then these should be called out. When the BBC refuses to describe the baby murderers and rapists of Hamas as “terrorists”, it’s right that Jews and others push back. The label, which is often used in other contexts, has no meaning if it doesn’t also apply in this one.
But what we should avoid is falling into a trap of paranoia and hyperbole, the feeling that “they’re all against us”, which is neither helpful nor strategically sound.
The BBC isn’t going anywhere. Nor should it. A full-frontal war on the country’s most important media institution might be emotionally satisfying, but it’s probably not going to deliver great outcomes. Criticism is more compelling when it is cool-headed and considered.
As the consequences of 7 October continue to unfold, it’s important that we don’t act on impulsive emotions. Many people are feeling strain against colleagues, neighbours and friends for their lack of empathy and support in recent weeks. Whenever a prominent figure, the latest being top comedy agent Kitty Laing, is found to have downplayed Israel’s trauma or glorified in Hamas’s slaughter, the temptation is to call for their heads and demand their immediate defenestration.
The BBC isn’t going anywhere. Nor should it. A full-frontal war on the country’s most important media institution might be emotionally satisfying, but it’s probably not going to deliver great outcomes.
In a moment where we all feel a sense of powerlessness, these small fights over semantics and social media can take on a heightened – even excessive – importance. We shouldn’t shy away from difficult conversations about all of this. There should be consequences for those who deny or downplay what happened on 7 October.
But each incident must be viewed in context and treated with nuance. Let’s not lose sight of our own humanity.
This is a time of testing. The decisions that are made, the bridges that are burned, the friendships severed, the words that are said in these weeks will never be forgotten or taken back.
So yes, be angry about the BBC’s mistakes, but be targeted and thoughtful in your critiques. Be frustrated with your friend who signed an open letter that minimises Jewish suffering, but don’t lose sight of the fact they are your friend for a reason and probably mean well.
Call out the ignorant social media signalling, but remember that heated online rows usually just inflame and divide.
Above all, don’t give into paranoia and blind fury. It won’t help anyone.
• Josh Glancy is news review editor at The Sunday Times. You can follow him on Twitter/X HERE
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