On July 16, 2024, the National Jewish Assembly (NJA) hosted an exclusive Zoom Q&A event featuring Richard Burgess, the BBC Director of News Content. This event provided the Jewish community with a unique opportunity to engage directly with the BBC and raise critical questions about its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.
Participants asked pointed questions regarding the BBC’s portrayal of Gaza, its lack of reporting on Hamas activities, and the perceived rise in antisemitism linked to the network’s coverage. One of the key moments was when Burgess was challenged on why the BBC repeatedly refers to the “Israel siege of Gaza,” despite Gaza being bordered by Egypt as well. His response highlighted the complexity and admitted the necessity for more accurate reporting.
Another significant query concerned why the BBC doesn’t publish information about weapons found in UNRWA schools and hospitals. Burgess acknowledged the challenge of reporting from Gaza and promised to continue investigating such allegations.
When asked about the rise in antisemitism, Burgess expressed the BBC’s commitment to impartiality and sensitivity, although he admitted the difficulties in a polarized media landscape. He also addressed concerns about the BBC’s handling of Hamas’s image, defending the network’s efforts to maintain balanced reporting despite challenges.
NJA Managing Director Steve Winston stated, “We appreciate Richard Burgess’s willingness to engage with our community. However, the event underscored the ongoing frustration and anger towards the BBC’s coverage of the conflict. There is much work to be done to ensure balanced and fair reporting and we will be seeking to continue our engagement with Richard and his team to raise these issues.”
The NJA is proud to be the first organisation to host such an event, providing a platform for open dialogue. We look forward to future engagements and will continue to advocate for accurate and unbiased media coverage.
To stay updated on NJA events and activities, please follow us on social media and visit our website. A recording of the event is available here: https://youtu.be/mKi1pImWIY8?feature=shared
