BBC sanctioned by Ofcom after controversial Gaza

The BBC has been sanctioned by Ofcom after its controversial Gaza documentary was discovered to have breached the watchdog’s guidelines. The documentary, titled Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, attracted complaints after it didn’t disclose that the narrator’s father was a Hamas official. It prompted an apology from the BBC – which can now face sanctions from Ofcom.

The broadcasting watchdog said in a press release: “We concluded that this was materially misleading, in breach of Rule 2.2 of the Broadcasting Code, because it had the potential to erode the very high levels of trust audiences would have expected in a BBC factual programme about the Israel-Gaza war.

“Breaches of the Code that have resulted in the audience being materially misled have always been considered by Ofcom to be among the most serious that can be committed by a broadcaster, because they go to the heart of the relationship of trust between a broadcaster and its audience.

“This is particularly pertinent in the case of a public service broadcaster such as the BBC.

“In light of the serious breach in this case, Ofcom is imposing a sanction. Ofcom is directing the BBC to broadcast a statement of its findings on BBC2 at 9pm on a date and in a form to be determined by Ofcom.”

The BBC pulled the documentary from iPlayer after complaints got here to light, and said it was not informed of the household connection by the manufacturing company upfront.

The broadcaster said at the time: “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone features important stories we think should be told – those of the experiences of children in Gaza.

“There have been persevering with questions raised about the programme and in the light of these, we’re conducting additional due diligence with the manufacturing company.

“The programme will not be available on iPlayer while this is taking place.”