ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Our coverage of the unprecedented assault on Israel by Hamas has made clear the nature of the atrocities committed and the impact this has had on civilians.Β Across our reporting we have explained that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western governments, including the UK.Β  We have reflected the response from the international community to Hamas’ actions, and featured contributors who have described them as terrorists.

We have given careful consideration to all aspects of our reporting of the Israel-Gaza conflict, both in terms of Hamas’ attacks and Israel’s response – this includes the language that we use.Β The ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ is editorially independent; our role is to explain precisely what is happening so that the public can make their own judgements.Β Our longstanding position, including during previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, has been that we do not use the term β€˜terrorist’ without attribution, in line with the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s Editorial Guidelines.

Our Guidelines on use of language state (sections 11.3.5 and 11.3.6):

β€œOur reporting of possible acts of terror should be timely and responsible, bearing in mind our requirement for due accuracy and impartiality. Terrorism is a difficult and emotive subject with significant political overtones and care is required in the use of language that carries value judgements. We should not use the term β€˜terrorist’ without attribution.”

β€œThe word β€˜terrorist’ itself can be a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. 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 β€˜bomber’, β€˜attacker’, β€˜gunman’, β€˜kidnapper’, β€˜insurgent’ and β€˜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.”

/editorialguidelines/guidelines/war-terror-emergencies/

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ News’ position is further explained in this piece by John Simpson, the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s World Affairs Editor:
/news/world-middle-east-67083432