Today, Ofcom sent the following letter to Dr Samir Shah CBE, BBC Chair.
Dear Samir,
BBC Programme: Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone
I am writing following the BBC’s recent statement on the initial review conducted by BBC News into the making of the above programme.
Providing duly accurate and impartial news, current affairs and factual programming lies at the heart of the BBC’s Mission and Public Purposes, and its content should be provided to the highest editorial standards.
The BBC has publicly acknowledged there were serious failings in the production of this programme which have raised important questions that the BBC must answer. Ofcom has ongoing concerns about the nature and gravity of these failings and the negative impact they have on the trust audiences place in the BBC’s journalism. It is crucial that the causes of those errors are investigated, and that systems are put in place to ensure they cannot recur.
As you are aware, in accordance with the BBC First approach and our published procedures, Ofcom will ordinarily only accept a complaint that has first been considered by the BBC. In exceptional circumstances, Ofcom may intervene to handle and resolve a complaint which has not been resolved by the BBC. Whether we decide to intervene at an earlier stage will depend on the relevant facts in each case.
We have decided, at this stage, to give the BBC the opportunity to conduct its own investigations into this programme, as the BBC Board has decided. We expect the investigation into complaints being led by the Editorial Complaints Unit and the fact-finding review led by Peter Johnston to be conducted as thoroughly as possible, and with the full scrutiny of the BBC Board.
We will continue to keep the situation under close review and will expect regular updates from the BBC regarding both timeframes and progress and reserve the right to use our powers to step in should we feel it necessary to do so, given that the BBC Board has decided these to be internal investigations. Given the importance of transparency we intend to make this letter public.
Yours sincerely,
MICHAEL GRADE
(Lord Grade of Yarmouth)