Author Archives: Sue

£30,000 Question

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There seems to be some confusion as to whether £30,000, an apology, or just an offer of an apology is on the table, but it does appear that the Muslim Council of Britain has demanded one or all of these from the BBC, and that the BBC has acquiesced.
Certain remarks were made by Charles Moore when he was a panellist on Question Time that the MCB consider a slur. His remarks were very similar to those made in a letter from Hazel Blears to the Guardian which she is not apologising for, and which seem to substantiate Mr Moore’s remarks.

This news raises ‘Many Questions’, for example:
Why didn’t the MCB make as much fuss over the disgraceful demo in Luton as they’re doing over the ‘slur?’
Or: Will any criticism of the ROP soon be made illegal?

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Same Old Same Old

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Q. What do you remember about the slap on the wrist given to the BBC by the BBC Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee?

A. Some of the complaints about bias in the Middle east Editor’s reporting were upheld.

All well and good. What has happened since? Has Jeremy Bowen changed? Has he been demoted? Has the reporting become less biased?
The Zionist Federation and the intrepid Jonathan Turner who tussled with the BBC for almost two years over this are not happy.

On April 16th they issued a press release stating exactly why they were not satisfied with the BBC’s response. Or lack thereof.

For example rephrasing of the web article was inadequate and not in accord with the trust’s findings.
The BBC recognises that ” there is no consensus view of history” and that “there are others who have different analysis – which of course they are entitled to.”
But Jeremy Bowen does not refer to the existence of “different analyses” Does he even realise there are any?

The Zionist Federation contends that the BBC’s biased reporting over the years has contributed to overt and covert hostility towards Israel and Jews, which has led to the racist acts against British Jews which they have statistically documented.

Even those who dispute that will wonder why so little has changed, and why Jeremy Bowen is still the BBC’s Middle East editor.

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Film Festival Fiasco

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See how the BBC reports the fiasco at the Edinburgh Film Festival. How dumbed down this is, and how casually they recount Ken Loach’s boycotting blackmail,

– (Loach) urged pro Palestinians to “stay away” –

and how little they are making of Ginnie Atkinson’s astonishing U-turn.

The item has been running at Harry’s place since 15th May, and updated on 19th, and today Melanie P has taken it up. The BBC plays it down, and carries on plugging Loach’s film about Eric Cantona regardless.

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Different Strokes for Different Folks

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Honest Reporting links to JJ Goldberg’s article in Columbia Journalism Review where he analyses and compares coverage of the “debunked allegations” of IDF abuses in Gaza. (I use the quotes because I’m quoting.)
He is interested in how the story is framed, and notes differences in the way the American and British press present the subject.

JJ Goldberg acknowledges that the US ‘Jewish lobby’ is a factor that both affects and influences the American Press’s gentler treatment of Israel, but explains that this is understandable, no more sinister than any other pressure from any other organised interest group, and no bad thing. He is asking: What’s wrong with a Jewish lobby? Why shouldn’t Jews have an interest group? The Jews are good guys and valuable to America.

“It’s almost a cliché these days to suggest that the presence of a well-organized Jewish community in America has a lot to do with the way Israel is treated by government and the media. It’s a mistake, though, to note the community’s ability to threaten and overlook its role as a leavening force in the larger culture. Jewish sensibilities help shape America’s sense of humor, U.S. attitudes toward civil rights, and much more. It would be astonishing if American Jews didn’t also influence America’s view of Israel—much as Irish Americans have helped mold attitudes toward Ireland.”

The article shows how the BBC’s Paul Wood seems to represent the British attitude. His reports, in sharp contrast, are blatantly critical of Israel, with emotive images accompanying inflammatory voiceovers, openly disapproving and condemnatory.

It is a fascinating exercise. What particularly interested me was the conclusion that:

“That’s a key difference between American and British coverage of the Middle East. The British Jewish community is well rooted, but it’s smaller—barely one-tenth the size of, say, the British Muslim community.”

It sort of hints that the ‘Muslim lobby’ has been busy influencing and affecting things here. If so, are we to assume that it’s understandable, natural, and quite okay, and we must accept that in Britain we have a culture that regards the phrase “Jewish Lobby” as shorthand for sinister cabal with dastardly intent, and the word Zionist as the embodiment of evil.

In saying this, I could be letting the Beeb off the hook, saying they’re only reflecting our culture.
But are they reflecting, or creating?

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The Big Question.

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Who is to blame, Nicky Campbell or the BBC?

Is that an “either or” question? No. Neither is: “Is Israel a racist state or a country under threat?”

The latter part of the question was not addressed as who could argue with the statement that Israel is under threat?

All that was left to discuss was: can any kind of discrimination against an enemy that is hell-bent on destroying one, ever be justified?

BBC conjures up a loaded question which automatically and emotively propounds the association of racism, the ultimate taboo, with the state of Israel, the beleaguered Jewish state.

After years of misinformation when so many misconceptions have continually been allowed to go unchallenged, programmes like this devised for entertainment are bound to be completely overwhelmed by prejudice and malice.

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Driven out by the Wall

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Sorry, but still with the Pope, this time from Honest Reporting, on the BBC’s Tim Franks and the “reason” he gives for the decline of Bethlehem’s Christian population. Tim Franks uses the usual technique of evoking sympathy by recounting a personal story, and he follows the plight of “Jonny” and his difficulties with the security walls.

Honest Reporting:

“Franks quoted several Palestinians who claim that Christians are leaving the city because of Israel’s security barrier. However, Franks also acknowledges that there could be another reason for the exodus.”

So while Franks does admit that some Christians are motivated to leave by fear of radical Islam but are afraid to put their views on record, he concentrates on the walls, once again mentioning the obligatory:

“Israel says the system of barriers it is building around the West Bank, sometimes cutting deep into occupied territory, is a security measure, although Palestinians call it a land grab.”


From Justus Reid Weiner, who has researched the plight of Christians in the Palestinian territories extensively:

“There are many examples of intimidation, beatings, land theft, firebombing of churches and other Christian institutions, denial of employment, economic boycotts, torture, kidnapping, forced marriage, sexual harassment, and extortion.”

“Many Palestinian Christian leaders accuse Israel of these crimes rather than the actual perpetrators[. ………]Others who are aware of the human rights crimes choose to remain silent about them.”

Plea from Honest reporting:

“The media has an obligation to report the truth. Insist that reporters tell the whole story when they cover the plight of Christians in the Middle East.”

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Nice Trip?

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After vowing to fight antisemitism, but still managing to offend almost everyone with some various so-called gaffes and ill-advised decisions, the Pope’s trip treads a pitfall-riddled path.

There’s plenty of press and internet coverage of a jpost article about the Pope’s hasty exit after an impromptu speech by Sheikh Tayseer Tamimi.

Pope Benedict abruptly got up and left before the end of the event, though not before performing the obligatory ‘handSheikh’
Speculation surrounds the issue, ‘did he or didn’t he?’ that is, walk out deliberately or merely need the gents.

The incident has brought out some virulently anti-Israel bile from readers of the Catholic and other press, supporting the gist of the Sheikh’s rant. These angermongers must be the recipients and consumers of BBC news reporting, simply reacting to tales they have been told.

But on a lighter note, there are also a number of supporters of what the Pope did, if indeed he did it.

So far, on this matter, the BBC remains silent.

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Saved by the Click

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Today, today.
The Pope is in Jordan travelling with Jeremy Bowen. Or the other way around. Anyway they’re on a pilgrimage.
James Naughtie points out that there are Pitfalls For The Pope.
Not to mention pitfalls for Jeremy Bowen. He’s been smacked on the wrist for committing Bias.
“The Pope wants to build bridges” says Jeremy, “The Muslim Brotherhood want an apology for something or other that the Pope said once that made them angry.”
“Yes,” says Naughtie, “Too bad. And what will happen when he crosses the river and has to confront all those nasty Jews in Israel?”
“Click” says the radio.
“Oh dear,” says Naughtie” “That’s another fine mess technology has got us out of.”

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Nice Programme Alert!

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Little gem about Mendelssohn on Woman’s Hour just now.
“Mendelssohn and the Nazis.”

Also, look out for Sheila Hayman’s film on June 19th on BBC4, and her radio 3 programme which isn’t on Sunday May 9th as advertised. (There is no Sunday May 9th) It’s on tomorrow, Saturday 9th. May. 9 – 9.45pm

“Felix Mendelssohn was the grandson of great Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Baptised at the age of seven, Felix became a devout Christian – with Christian influences at the heart of much of his music. But he also tried, throughout his life, to reconcile his Christian faith with his Jewish roots.
Just two years after his death, Richard Wagner stated that Felix, as a Jew, was a second-rate composer. And, in 1934, the Nazi government declared Felix, and the entire family, Jewish and therefore Mendelssohn’s music was banned in Germany [………….]Mendelssohn’s Elijah was performed at the Oranienburgestrasse synagogue in 1937, with the doors and windows sealed – to keep the music inside. “

Please, BBC, give us features like this on the BBC main channels, not shoved into the obscurity of BBC4 along with all the WW2 history programmes, if for no other reason than to counterbalance incessant programmes about the lives of Saudi women and Thoughts for the Day about UK Moslems that we are treated to day-in-and-day-out on the main radio and BBC telly channels.

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Back to Abnormal

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That predictably biased UN report that criticises Israel and calls for war crimes investigations, and generally condemns Israel for existing, has stirred up relatively dormant Middle East issues again.

Laura Trevelyan’s reports on News 24 even sounded balanced in comparison. She pointed out that Israel has said the UN report was hugely biased and didn’t represent the evidence that was given to them, but merely reflected Hamas’s account of events in Gaza.
From her report alone, one might almost think anti-Israel bias was easing up at the Beeb. This was a momentary blip.

The report on the web reverts back to normal, and a few moments ago News 24 interviewed Ehud Barak, after a short emotive film clip from Katya Adler, and a subliminal flash of Ban Ki Moon.

The Beeboid made no attempt to conceal his contempt for Mr Barak and his Broken-English attempts to explain Israel’s situation. Something made Beeboid believe it was his job, as interrogator, to pass judgment on Israel’s morality, rather the immorality of fighting a terrorist organisation that had been sending rockets into Israel for eight years, then continued doing so from behind civilians the moment Israel decided it had had enough and retaliated.

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