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The BBC has censured one of its presenters for referring to Hamas as a “terror group,” ruling the phrase breached editorial guidelines.
The incident took place during a June 15 broadcast earlier this year. In the segment, the presenter used the description, prompting complaints from viewers.
The British public broadcaster’s Editorial Complaints Unit (ECU) investigated and found the wording in violation of BBC standards. The ECU published its decision on Thursday, confirming the complaint was upheld.
BBC Guidelines Restrict Language on Terrorism
The BBC Editorial Guidelines prohibit journalists from using the term “terrorist” in their own voice. It can appear only when attributed to officials or outside sources.
The ECU explained its reasoning in a statement: “For reasons connected with due accuracy and impartiality, the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines say, ‘The term “terrorist” should only be used with attribution, i.e., when quoting or citing its use by others.’”
The watchdog added that it saw “no material difference” between “terror group” and “terrorist group.” It therefore ruled the presenter’s words a breach of editorial policy.
A Broader Pattern of Avoiding Clarity
The BBC’s approach has long drawn criticism. By refusing to label Hamas as a terrorist organization, despite its record of mass murder and hostage-taking, the broadcaster often blurs the moral lines between victims and perpetrators.
This latest decision illustrates how the BBC, in the name of ‘impartiality,’ shields Hamas from accountability — even after the October 7th massacre — while obscuring the reality of terrorism and undermining truth.
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