Complaint
A listener objected to the presenter Nick Robinsonβs statement that Gaza might βsoon see the largest famine on the planetβ and to a similar statement elsewhere in the programme by a representative of the World Food Programme, on the grounds that the number of people facing famine in Sudan exceeded the population of Gaza.Β Further, the listener considered this accuracy to be evidence of bias against Israel β as was the manner in which a representative of the Israeli government was interviewed earlier in the programme. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs editorial standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Outcome
According to the World Food Programme, the number of people in Gaza at risk of entering the most severe phase of International Food Security Phase Classification system was the highest ever recorded.Β The ECU therefore considered the statements complained of to be duly accurate in the context of an item which focused on the implications of a more severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza for UK foreign policy, and not on a comparison between the situations in Gaza and Sudan.Β There being no inaccuracy, the question consequent of bias did not arise.Β As to the interview with the representative of the Israeli government, nothing in the content or tone of the questioning seemed to the ECU to go beyond what would be expected when interviewing the representative of a government whose actions were giving rise to controversy.
Not Upheld