Jewish BBC staff are ‘shocked’ by journalist John Simpson’s blog post

Jewish BBC staff are 'shocked' by veteran journalist John Simpson's blog post explaining why the broadcaster won't refer to Hamas as 'terrorists'

  • The world affairs editor's 600-word post was published on the BBC's website

By Paul Revoir[1]

Published: 22:30, 17 October 2023 | Updated: 23:45, 17 October 2023

Jewish BBC[2] staff are said to have been shocked by references to Nazis in a blog by veteran journalist John Simpson explaining why the broadcaster refuses to call Hamas[3] 'terrorists'.

The world affairs editor's 600-word post, published on the corporation's website last week, claimed 'BBC Broadcasters were expressly told not to call the Nazis evil or wicked' during the Second World War[4].

But the comparison left some Jewish workers at the BBC shocked, according to The Times.

This is said to have been made worse when Deborah Turness, the BBC's chief executive of news and current affairs, included this part of his blog in an email to staff.

One BBC staff member told the newspaper: 'What was he thinking of by referencing the Nazis?

Jewish BBC staff are said to have been shocked by references to Nazis in a blog post by veteran journalist John Simpson Jewish BBC staff are said to have been shocked by references to Nazis in a blog post by veteran journalist John Simpson

Jewish BBC staff are said to have been shocked by references to Nazis in a blog post by veteran journalist John Simpson

Ahmed Hussain, who has been in charge of BBC radio station Asian Network since 2020, is also said to have reposted messages querying whether the terror group beheaded babies Ahmed Hussain, who has been in charge of BBC radio station Asian Network since 2020, is also said to have reposted messages querying whether the terror group beheaded babies

Ahmed Hussain, who has been in charge of BBC radio station Asian Network since 2020, is also said to have reposted messages querying whether the terror group beheaded babies

'It's never a good idea, and particularly not at the moment.

'Does he not realise how vulnerable Jewish members of staff are feeling? It shouldn't have been repeated by Deborah.'

Another said that people were 'not happy about it' and it was 'questionable', having lacked awareness about the 'sensitivities' of this language.

Simpson wrote: 'It's always been like this in the BBC. During World War Two, BBC broadcasters were expressly told not to call the Nazis evil or wicked, even though we could and did call them 'the enemy'. 'Above all,' said a BBC document, 'there must be no room for ranting'.

Our tone had to be calm and collected.'

It comes as it emerged that the head of BBC radio station Asian Network reposted tweets which described Israel's response to the Hamas attacks as 'genocide'.

Ahmed Hussain, who has been in charge of the station since 2020, is also said to have reposted messages querying whether the terror group beheaded babies. The BBC is already facing criticism from Jewish groups for its handling of the crisis, which began when Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7.

The BBC has refused to describe those behind the attacks as 'terrorists', instead using words such as 'militants' - despite the fact that the Government classifies Hamas as a terrorist group.

This has sparked a backlash from politicians and British Jews, with hundreds of protesters demonstrating outside the BBC in London on Monday night.

The BBC is now expected to look into its use of the word terrorism in relation to groups such as Hamas as part of a review of its editorial guidelines in the spring.

On Monday night there was anger when the BBC called the Islamic State-inspired shooting in Brussels, in which two Swedes were killed, a 'terror attack'. The BBC then said this use of the word terror had been a 'mistake'.

The corporation is also facing scrutiny over claims that another BBC programme has questioned whether a Hamas massacre at a kibbutz had actually happened.

The BBC is now expected to look into its use of the word terrorism in relation to groups such as Hamas The BBC is now expected to look into its use of the word terrorism in relation to groups such as Hamas

The BBC is now expected to look into its use of the word terrorism in relation to groups such as Hamas

According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, a BBC Arabic programme called Trending had suggested there was more than one version of this story.

A BBC spokesman said the report had been 'quickly removed from BBC output' as it did not meet its 'editorial standards'.

This comes as the BBC investigates reports that six journalists and a freelancer at for its Arabic service appeared to support Hamas and had backed its attacks on social media. All are thought to have been taken off air while the investigation continues.

Yesterday, the BBC responded to claims about the head of its Asian Network. It said: 'Our social media guidance sets out clear expectations for staff, including the particular responsibility for all senior leaders to uphold the BBC's impartiality.

Any breaches are taken seriously, and we have spoken to Ahmed and reminded him of these responsibilities.'

References

  1. ^ Paul Revoir (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  2. ^ BBC (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  3. ^ Hamas (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  4. ^ Second World War (www.dailymail.co.uk)

Tags: