BBC News website corrects on Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

Previously we documented an inaccurate portrayal of the number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon in a BBC News website report published on July 30^th:

INACCURACY AND OMISSION IN BBC PORTRAYAL OF PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN LEBANON

CAMERA UK submitted a complaint to the BBC on that topic and on August 20^th we were informed that it would take more time to address the issue, despite the BBC having already corrected the same inaccuracy in an Arabic language report on the same topic.

On August 24^th we received the following communication:

“Thank you for taking the time to contact us about the BBC News article, ‘Lebanon clashes: Thousands flee violence at Palestinian refugee camp’ (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-66354364)

We appreciate the time you’ve taken to point out the accuracy of refugees residing in Lebanon.

We’ve updated the article to clarify the reported numbers vs. estimations as per the information on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency website. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention.

Your comments have been placed on our audience feedback report to be seen by senior management across the BBC and the BBC News website editors. Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.”

Before that amendment the report told readers that:

“More than 479,000 refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, the agency says. About half live in the country’s 12 refugee camps, which have “dire” living conditions, it adds.”

The relevant section of the report now states:

“More than 489,000 Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, the agency says. but no more than 250,000 currently reside in the country.”

A footnote appended to the report reads:

“Update 23 August 23: This article was amended to include an estimate of the number of Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon.”