Ofcom launches investigation into BBC's Gaza documentary amid concerns it 'misled the audience'
by LBC Staff · LBCBy LBC Staff
Ofcom has opened an investigation into the BBC's Gaza documentary narrated by the son of a Hamas leader amid concerns the factual programme "mislead the audience".
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The broadcasting regulator confirmed the investigation just hours after the BBC admitted it breached its own editorial guidelines on accuracy by failing to disclose that the narrator of a Gaza documentary was the son of a Hamas official.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: "Having examined the BBC's findings, we are launching an investigation under our rule which states that factual programmes must not materially mislead the audience."
The BBC published its review into the programme Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone earlier on Monday.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie apologised for a “significant failing” in relation to the documentary and pledged the corporation would take action to prevent it happening again.
He said: “Peter Johnston’s report identifies a significant failing in relation to accuracy in this documentary. I thank him for his thorough work and I am sorry for this failing."
An independent review commissioned by the corporation found that Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone breached editorial guideline 3.3.17 on accuracy by failing to disclose to audiences the “critical information” of the role the 13-year-old’s father had within the Hamas-run government, the BBC said.
The corporation said the report found nobody at the BBC knew of the father’s position when the documentary first aired on February 17, however three people at Hoyo Films, the independent production company which produced the film, were aware.
Ofcom warned that recent controversies could "start to erode public trust and confidence" in the BBC.
It added that the report does not find that the production company misled the corporation, but does find that the firm bears most of the responsibility for the failure.
The review found no other breaches of the guidelines.
Mr Davie continued: “We will now take action on two fronts – fair, clear and appropriate actions to ensure proper accountability and the immediate implementation of steps to prevent such errors being repeated.”
The BBC Board added: “We thank Peter Johnston for his work. His report is a comprehensive examination of a complex programme, the production of which spanned many months from concept through to broadcast – and is critical in laying bare the facts of what happened.
“Nothing is more important than trust and transparency in our journalism. We welcome the actions the Executive are taking to avoid this failing being repeated in the future.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the corporation has made "big strides" to reset its relationship with the public after a "series of catastrophic failures in recent weeks".
Ms Nandy said she is "pleased that there has been an acknowledgement about what a catastrophic failure this has been”.
"I'm pleased there has been progress but, as the BBC itself has recognised, there is more to be done," she concluded.
The independent production company behind the Gaza documentary also apologised and said they were "working with the BBC" to see if the film can be made available on the iPlayer again.
A statement from Hoyo Films said: “We take the findings in Peter Johnston’s report on Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone extremely seriously and apologise for the mistake that resulted in a breach of the (BBC) editorial guidelines.
“We are pleased that the report found that there was no evidence of inappropriate influence on the content of the documentary from any third party.
Windows smashed at BBC building and daubed with ‘Free Gaza’ graffiti
“We appreciate the rigorous nature of this investigation, and its findings that Hoyo Films did not intentionally mislead the BBC, that there were no other breaches of the editorial guidelines in the programme, and that there was no evidence to suggest that the programme funds were spent other than for reasonable, production-related purposes.
“Hoyo Films welcomes the report’s recommendations and hope they will improve processes and prevent similar problems in the future.
“We are working closely with the BBC to see if we can find an appropriate way to bring back to iPlayer the stories of those featured in the programme.
“Our team in Gaza risked their lives to document the devastating impact of war on children.
“Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone remains a vital account, and our contributors, who have no say in the conflict, deserve to have their voices heard.”
Ofcom said in a statement: "Having examined the BBC's findings, we are launching an investigation under our rule which states that factual programmes must not materially mislead the audience."