The BBC’s flagship documentary program Panorama last covered Israel in January 2010 when it focused on tensions in the area of eastern Jerusalem adjacent to the Old City. The result was a shocking distortion of Jewish history and rights to Jerusalem while promoting a one-sided and biased agenda.
With reporter Jane Corbin once again behind the wheel, we expected very little from Panorama’s latest, “Death in the Med”, which sought to examine the events on board the Turkish Mavi Marmara and the Gaza flotilla in May 2010.
Instead, we were pleasantly surprised that the BBC has produced a balanced and comprehensive examination of the incident, including unique access to Israel’s Naval Commando 13, the unit which seized the Mavi Marmara and interviews and footage of the Turkish IHH organization, whose members openly acknowledge their wish to become martyrs.
You can view the full program here through YouTube.
It is rare that the BBC produces any material which treats Israel fairly or shows anything positive regarding the country or its actions. Israel’s detractors are accusing the BBC of broadcasting “Zionist propaganda” as evidenced by a large number of negative comments on the Panorama blog site.
In this case, the BBC is to be commended for producing a balanced program involving Israel. Please support the BBC and the findings of this Panorama report by getting involved in the online debate at Panorama’s blog site and writing to Panorama to thank it for its fair coverage – [email protected]
Further Resources on the Gaza Flotilla
You can read more on the Gaza flotilla incident and related media coverage at the following HonestReporting communiques:
Update
The BBC has issued a detailed statement in response to complaints that Death in the Med was “biased” in favor of Israel.
