John Simpson is President of the Chelsea Society.
He says BBC is right not to describe baby-killing Hamas as terrorists.
Were it to do so(he says) it might impact the Corporation's 'impartiality'....and we all know the BBC is very partial to partiality.
As ex Cllr Phelps would say, "You could not make it up"
Mr Simpson? If they are not terrorists tell us what they are....
It has been the long-standing position for the BBC reporters not to use the term themselves unless attributing it to someone else. Anyone watching or listening to their coverage will hear the word 'terrorist' used many times - they attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK Government. This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening 'on the ground' so their audiences can make their own judgement. Calling someone a terrorist means you're taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality. The BBC's job is to place the facts before its audience and let them decide what they think, honestly and without ranting.
ReplyDeleteWhat the BBC guidelines say: The corporation's editorial guidelines say the word "terrorist" can be "a barrier rather than an aid to understanding". They say: "We should convey to our audience the full consequences of the act by describing what happened. "We should use words which specifically describe the perpetrator such as 'bomber', 'attacker', 'gunman', 'kidnapper', 'insurgent' and 'militant'. "We should not adopt other people's language as our own; our responsibility is to remain objective and report in ways that enable our audiences to make their own assessments about who is doing what to whom.".
Leaving all that aside....the question the Dame asked had nothing to do with editorial policy. She asked Simpson how he would describe what HAMAS were.....freedom fighter, soldiers....bandits? I seem to remember the BBC often referring to acts of violence by the Provos as acts of terrorism.
Deleteso...gunman, kidnapper, insurgent, militant but not terrorists or people who create terror by murdering innocents?
DeleteFollowing criticism about the BBC’s coverage of the July 7 2005 London bombings, their governors approved the guidance on "the use of language when reporting terrorism.”
DeleteCareful use of the word 'terrorist' is essential if the BBC is to maintain its reputation for standards of accuracy and especially impartiality ... that does not mean we should emasculate their reporting or otherwise avoid conveying the reality and horror of what has occurred; but they should consider the impact our use of language may have on their reputation for objective journalism amongst their many audiences ... they must be careful not to give the impression that they have come to some kind of implicit - and unwarranted - value judgement.
There are many words which specifically describe the perpetrator such as 'bomber', 'attacking', 'gunman', 'kidnapper' 'insurgent' and 'militant'."
Leaving all that aside … Rapists and burglars will be spared jail from next week after judges told prisons are full. Crown court judges ordered to delay sentencing hearings as prison population hits bursting point. The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/judges-told-not-to-jail-rapists-as-prisons-are-full-2tfgb2czs
DeleteSteve Hilton described Simpson like this “pompous, soulless, inhumane p---- of a BBC journalist”.
DeleteSteve Hilton wrote (a few days ago): “… we have the War on Israel. Of course the people who launched these appalling and vicious attacks are the ones responsible and must be held accountable.”
DeleteThis posting takes a pop at ‘a pompous bore’ for defending the BBC, when the corporation was trying to be objective.Trivia.
DeleteThe posting could have been about seeking justice for the dead, in Israel and Palestine, who have been murdered by war criminals.
A UN Commission to the Israel-Palestine conflict stated on 10 October that there is "clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed in the latest explosion of violence in Israel and Gaza, and all those who have violated international law and targeted civilians must be held accountable." The UN Human Rights Council said it had "clear evidence" of war crimes by both sides. On 12 October, independent United Nations experts condemned the "horrific crimes committed by Hamas" and said that Israel had resorted to "indiscriminate military attacks against the already exhausted Palestinian people of Gaza". They said that "This amounts to collective punishment. There is no justification for violence that indiscriminately targets innocent civilians, whether by Hamas or Israeli forces. This is absolutely prohibited under international law and amounts to a war crime." The International Criminal Court issued a statement on 10 October confirming that its 2014 mandate to investigate alleged war crimes committed in the State of Palestine extends to the current conflict. The Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem called Hamas' killing of civilians and taking of hostages as war crimes. and accused the Israeli government of committing war crimes against the people of Gaza, including the bombing of civilians, the closing of crossings, and the cutting of power and water supplies. Human Rights Watch characterized both Hamas' and Israel conduct as war crimes.
DeleteAnonymous12 October 2023 at 21:37
Delete"This posting takes a pop at ‘a pompous bore’ for defending the BBC, when the corporation was trying to be objective.Trivia.
The posting could have been about seeking justice for the dead, in Israel and Palestine, who have been murdered by war criminals." As you are an apologist for the BBC can you remind us of three things: 1. How should the BBC describe the Hamas, the sons of ISIS, if they are not terrorists? 2. Who started the rocket bombardment of Israel? 3 Who in their fight thought hacking off baby's head was justified? Even ISIS never went that far.
1. The atrocities are war crimes.
Delete2. War crimes are carried out by war criminals.
3. Call out for the prosecution of all the war criminals.
The EU designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation but not the Leftie BBC
ReplyDeleteThe Canadian Broadcasting Corp. gave strict guidelines to reporters on using the term "terrorist" in their coverage of Israel's war with Hamas. "Do not refer to militants, soldiers or anyone else as ‘terrorists.’ The notion of terrorism remains heavily politicized and is part of the story," CBC's director of journalistic standards, George Achi, wrote in an email to employees on Saturday. The CBC executive instructed journalists to make sure audiences understand that when quoting someone using this term, they are stating "opinion." "Even when quoting/clipping a government or a source referring to fighters as ‘terrorists,’ we should add context to ensure the audience understands this is opinion, not fact," he added. "CBC News attributes the words ‘terrorist’ and ‘terrorism’ to authorities, politicians and other officials who use these terms. There is no ban on these words. However, we ourselves avoid declaring specific groups terrorists, in line with the policies of many reputable news organizations and agencies around the world," the spokesperson said.
DeleteIsrael-Hamas war (11 Oct 23): Death toll tops 2,300 in Israel and Gaza, with thousands of others injured
DeleteWe witness the deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate rocket attacks, and the taking of civilians as hostages by Palestinian armed groups, as well as the Israeli counter-strikes in Gaza that killed hundreds of Palestinians. Rather than virtue signalling, the Dame, Keir Stammer and Grant Shapps should be calling for the WAR CRIMINALS to stand trial at The Hague.
DeleteSo, you want the Israelis to roll over and let HAMAS eradicate them? The Iranians had a nuclear weapon you can be sure they would give it to HAMAS
DeleteHAMAS has started a war against the people of Israel
Deliberately killing citizens is a war crme, as is hotage taking. All parties to the conflict are obliged to respect the laws of war.
DeleteSky News interrupt war report to bring Holly Willoughby news live from Jerusalem
ReplyDeletePut war criminals on trial!
ReplyDeleteIn the immediate aftermath of horror, we need voices for de-escalation and peace.
Deleteand how are you going to do that? Like we did with ISIS? Hamas run Gaza and they want Israelis out of Israel
Delete