A BBC documentary set in Gaza has come under intense scrutiny after it emerged the child narrator was the son of a Hamas minister—despite the programme being signed off as “all clean of Hamas” reports The Telegraph.
Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone was classed as a “high risk” production by the BBC but was broadcast without crucial concerns being addressed. One month before transmission, an editorial policy adviser raised the question: “Has due diligence been done on those featured to ensure, e.g. the lead boy doesn’t have links in any way to [Hamas]? I’m sure it has…” However, that question went unanswered.
The programme proceeded regardless. It later came to light that three members of Hoyo Films, the independent company behind the documentary, had known about the boy’s background but failed to disclose it to the BBC, which found that while editorial guidelines were breached, impartiality allegations were not upheld.
The BBC have been contacted for comment.
The narrator, 13-year-old Abdullah Alyazouri, was revealed the day after the broadcast to be the son of Ayman Alyazouri, a deputy agriculture minister in the Hamas-led government. His family was paid £795 for participating in the film, and he received additional gifts—a game gift card and a second-hand mobile phone—totalling £1,817.
An internal review, led by BBC director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston, concluded that the documentary breached editorial guidelines on accuracy, citing a failure to reveal “critical information” about Abdullah’s family. However, it ruled that the BBC had not breached impartiality rules.
This came despite earlier comments from BBC chairman Samir Shah, who described the controversy as a “dagger to the heart” of the broadcaster’s impartiality.
Ofcom has now launched its own investigation, stating it would examine the documentary “under our rule which states that factual programmes must not materially mislead the audience.”
BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness apologised for what she called a “mistake” but declined to say whether any staff would be sacked. She had attended a special screening of the documentary before it aired, but defended her actions by saying, “I didn’t know then what I know now.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had previously demanded to know why no one had been dismissed over the incident. Her comments on Monday were notably more restrained.
BBC director-general Tim Davie issued his own apology, calling the situation a “significant failing” in terms of accuracy. While the broadcaster promised “accountability”, Ms Turness attempted to shift blame to Hoyo Films, saying: “The questions should have been answered by the independent production company at the many times of asking.”
As for the future of the programme, the BBC may opt to re-edit it into shorter films for possible release on iPlayer.