No10 says Ofcom rules DON’T stop BBC from calling Hamas ‘terrorists’
No10 says Ofcom rules DON'T stop BBC from calling Hamas 'terrorists' and points out the corporation used the term about 9/11 and the Bataclan attacks
By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline[1]
Published: 13:33, 16 October 2023 | Updated: 13:33, 16 October 2023
Ofcom rules do not prevent the BBC[2] from calling Hamas[3] 'terrorists', Downing Street[4] insisted today.
No10 heaped more pressure on the corporation by dismissing the idea that using the term would breach impartiality guidelines.
The PM's spokesman also pointed out that the BBC had branded the 9/11[5] and Bataclan attacks 'terrorism'.
The intervention came after Tories complained to Ofcom about the broadcaster's handling of the situation.[6]
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps[7] and Radio 4 Today programme host Mishal Husain clashed about the issue on Friday.
The PM's (pictured) spokesman pointed out that the BBC had branded the 9/11 and Bataclan attacks 'terrorism'
Israeli troops survey the devastation at a music festival where Hamas terrorists carried out a bloody slaughter
Downing Street said there is nothing in Ofcom rules that prevent the BBC calling Hamas 'terrorists'
Stressing that Parliament had declared Hamas a terror group, Mr Shapps slated an 'unfortunate' article by veteran foreign correspondent John Simpson justifying the muted language in coverage.
Mr Shapps said that there was abundant evidence of beheadings and hostage-taking, adding that Jewish schools forced to shut in the UK over fears of repercussions would be dismayed by the stance.
'I think it's pretty clear that's terrorist activity and I think it's pretty surprising not to hear it being called that,' he said.
But Ms Husain shot back that other major broadcasters were doing the same, arguing that they were following the Ofcom[8] code.
'We're not unique in this,' she said.
She added later: 'I don't know whether you are singling out the BBC and singling out Hamas or whether you are calling for a change in the Ofcom broadcasting code.'
However, the BBC's own website concedes that other TV news organisations have been describing Hamas as 'terrorists'.
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has written to Ofcom complaining about the claim and asking for an apology.
'Ofcom guidelines do not forbid the use of the word 'terrorist' to describe a group when they have committed an act of terror,' he wrote.
The PM's official spokesman said today: 'Ministers have set out our position on this already. The legal position is that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist group. The term terrorist is an accurate legal description.
'The BBC has described other attacks as terrorism - 9/11, 7/7, the Bataclan.
To put it into context, the attack we witnessed in Israel was the third deadliest terror attack in the world since 1970.
'So there is no restriction on the BBC using that term, certainly not from Ofcom, who have made that clear that as long as they meet Ofcom rules on accuracy in news and due impartiality in news, broadcasters can use such vocabulary.'
He added: 'A number of reporting organisations are accurately describing Hamas as a terrorist group, accuracy is important in these circumstances.'
The head of BBC News and Current Affairs Deborah Turness defended the corporation's editorial position in an email to staff last week.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Radio 4 Today programme host Mishal Husain clashed about the issue during an interview on Friday
'It is because BBC News matters so much that the words we use - and don't use - also matter,' she wrote.
'Our audiences turn to us for clarity in a chaotic world, to help them separate fact from fake and we are proud to serve them and part of serving is listening and being responsive.
'If we are perceived to take sides in any war, it will no longer be safe for us to operate in hostile environments and to witness first-hand what is happening.
'I know from those of you who have contacted me that it is therefore uncomfortable to find ourselves at the centre of a public debate about the BBC's longstanding editorial policy.
'So we will meet with those who have questions about our editorial guidelines to better understand their concerns and explain the fundamental principles that sit behind them.'