The recent publication of a report concerning Amnesty International by David Collier provides an opportunity to revisit the issue of the BBC’s promotion of that NGO.
Throughout 2018 Amnesty International was the second most quoted and promoted foreign NGO in BBC reporting on Israel and the Palestinians. Coverage of the arrest and trial of Ahed Tamimi included quotes from Amnesty International and even promoted a link to the NGO’s related campaign webpage. A BBC News website live webpage covering the ‘Great Return March’ featured quotes from Amnesty International and the organisation was quoted in a BBC Sport report about a cycle race and later the same month in another report.
That editorial policy was also evident in earlier years – for example:
BBC’s Connolly ‘contextualises’ Hamas torture and execution (spoiler – it’s Israel’s fault)
BBC amplification of Amnesty’s lawfare agenda again compromises impartiality
BBC WS ‘Newshour’ amplifies Israel delegitimising lawfare campaign
BBC’s Middle East editor promotes Amnesty International’s Gaza report
BBC lends its shoulder to Amnesty’s cart of politically motivated defamation – part one
BBC lends its shoulder to Amnesty’s cart of politically motivated defamation – part two
BBC website now promoting flawed Amnesty report as a ‘related story’
BBC uses photo of exploited child to promote anti-Israel propaganda
Although BBC editorial guidelines on impartiality have long stipulated that audiences should be provided with information concerning the “affiliations, funding and particular viewpoints” of contributors – including charities – in over seven years of monitoring we have never been able to document the BBC’s provision of such information in relation to Amnesty International.
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