BBC skirts Hamas ‘terrorist’ label to keep access, Kirsty Young …

Kirsty Young has suggested that the BBC has opted against referring to Hamas as terrorists in its news coverage for fear of losing access to the group.

Young, a former ITV and Channel 5 newsreader who was among the team to present the BBC's coverage of the Queen's funeral last year, praised the way in which the BBC had covered the war between Israel[1] and Hamas[2] but said that it was in a tricky situation.

The broadcaster has faced criticism from politicians including Rishi Sunak and Jewish groups for describing the group as a "proscribed terrorist organisation" rather than simply terrorists.

The BBC has faced challenges from all sides over its coverage of the war. Last month a pro-Palestinian protest group claimed responsibility for throwing red paint over the broadcaster's headquarters

The BBC has faced challenges from all sides over its coverage of the war. Last month a pro-Palestinian protest group claimed responsibility for throwing red paint over the broadcaster's headquarters

ANDY BARTON/ALAMY

Young, 54, defended the decision on The Adam Buxton Podcast, which was recorded last month.

"Reporting that it is a proscribed terror organisation

References

  1. ^ Israel (www.thetimes.co.uk)
  2. ^ Hamas (www.thetimes.co.uk)