BBC News issued an apology after a presenter described people taking part in marches in support of Palestine as backing Hamas.
Thousands of people across the UK marched in solidarity with Palestine, calling for an end to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The broadcaster had previously spoken of “several demonstrations” in which people “voiced their backing for Hamas”.
Later, a statement on Twitter/X from presenter Maryam Moshiri said: “Earlier we reported on some of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the weekend.
BBC News apologizes for describing UK's pro-Palestine rallies as pro-Hamas.#israel #gaza #war #genocide https://t.co/48HUqkiw3P pic.twitter.com/GQVtJwl0ed
— MG (@arnau1700) October 16, 2023
“We spoke about ‘several demonstrations across Britain during which people voiced their backing for Hamas’.
“We accept this was poorly phrased and was a misleading description of the demonstrations.”
Many had taken to social media to criticise the BBC for its reporting with Novara Media founder Aaron Bastani saying: “Utterly appalling from the BBC. That means 150,000 in London breached the 2000 Terrorism Act on Sat – who is writing this stuff?”
Journalist Sarah Woolley meanwhile commented: “Accurate reporting matters.”
In a statement, the BBC said: “Careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality in line with due impartiality in line with BBC editorial guidelines, which are publicly available.
“We understand this is an extremely worrying time for people not only in the region, but also in the UK and around the world and we have reflected this in our coverage.
“BBC News has provided our global audiences with coverage and first-hand testimony of the atrocities committed by Hamas and the suffering in Gaza.
“We have made clear the devastating human cost to civilians living in Israel and Gaza and the unprecedented nature of what has happened.
“The huge loss of civilian life on both sides makes this a shocking and difficult story to cover.”
