Comments on: Reporting Gaza

By: Dave Harding

Dave Harding — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:49:15 +0000

I think Brits in general are biased in favor of the Palestinians, not because they’re anti–Jewish necessarily, but rather because they fear Islamic retaliation if they don’t favor the Palestinians. I think the news coverage reflects this fear.

By: sharen green

sharen green — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:16:42 +0000

it was great to see this thrashed out on channel 4 whose news coverage beats the beeb into a cocked hat. the BBC is so keen to be “impartial” that it treats the situation between Israel and the Palestinians as if they were equals when that is clearly not the case. If Gazans try to smuggle some rocket parts and submachine guns through a tunnel then that’s terrible but if Israel receives $2.5 billion in MILITARY aid from the US every year that’s just fine and we don’t bother to mention it.
i agree with the blogger who differentiated between the BBC and its reporters. I perceive the corporation as pro-Israeli because we never get the proper context.i cant remember the last time they mentioned when talking about Hamas that they were elected and that Israel arrested around 40 elected representatives them three years ago and has yet to charge or release them. Individual journalists often do a very good job but they don’t get a chance to go into the background the way channel 4 news so often does.

By: Harel

Harel — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:40:36 +0000

And by the way James,
Its very naive to think that money given to Hamas will not be used to purchase weapons instead of medicine. If monetary donations are to be given, at the very least a 3rd party should manage the money.

By: Harel

Harel — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:38:51 +0000

You have to understand that this is not an ordinary conflict. This has been going on for a very long time, and every time there’s a progress towards peace, extremists from both sides do all they can to subvert it and usually succeed. In the past 8 years since Israel left Gaza there has been over 6000 (!) rockets fired towards Israel without a significant retaliation. Israel warned it will have to act and act severely. The world media did not report any of those rockets as keenly as it did the current Israeli response. British people did not stand up for those hurt by the rockets as victims of war. Hamas has been using civilian houses as rocket launch sites. When the occupants attempted a slight protest they were beaten or shot. Why didn’t any British person stand up for those Palestinians who were hurt by Hamas? And what exactly do you propose should have been a proportionate response for 6000 rockets over 8 years?
I strongly support a palestinian state. I don’t think this can be reached with hamas in power. I also do my best to avoid passing judgement on either side of this conflict as this is one of the most complex conflict of this century without a clean-cut solution to it.

By: Ruth Tenne

Ruth Tenne — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:38:18 +0000

Dear Channel Four,
I want to thank you for your programme -TV show (31st Jan, 4 pm), in which you and the audience discussed impartiality in news reporting on Gaza, along with the refusal by BBC’s to broadcast the DEC’s appeal for Gaza on the grounds of endangering the BBC’s (spurious) impartiality.
I entirely agree with the comments of the lady from the audience who maintained that “truth should come before impartiality” . I should add to that, that humanity and compassion ought to take precedence over any hollow notion of impartiality as defined by the BBC. Channel 4’s programme, though short, highlighted the danger of maintaining a convoluted concept of impartiality – ending with a sanitized reporting which is devoid of any human feelings, emotions and compassion.
I greatly appreciate Channel 4’s continued reporting of the untold horrors unleashed on Gaza by the IDF , and the incisive interview conducted by Jon Snow with the “sleek “Israeli war spokesman /messenger – Mark Regev . I wish the BBC and other TV channels had the courage to penetrate the bland smokescreen of Israel’s publicity machine which goes hand- in- hand with Israel’s barbaric war machine – trampling upon any notion of humanity .

As an Israeli peace activist , I thank you personally for agreeing to screen the DEC appeal for Gaza which showed the full horrors of Israel’s brutal war on the defenceless population of Gaza. I hope that in the future , as in the past, you will continue to report on the Israeli -Palestinian conflict by maintaining your genuine impartiality which is devoid of the unchallenged pro-Israel bias adopted by the rest of the main-stream media . Please remain in the vanguard of honest reporting and conscientious journalism – being faithful to yourselves and the public.

Yours sincerely
Ruth Tenne

By: Jonboy

Jonboy — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:47:47 +0000

I hope all those who complained about the BBC’s refusal to show the appeal have themselves contributed to the appeal – otherwise it would be nothing short of hypocritical.

By: James Kent

James Kent — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:38:13 +0000

Firstly, its not the 19th century. There are human rights and UN code of law devised to protect the innocent. I think your partial view of the war seems to be influenced by media of your kind. UN have clearly reiterated, during and post-war, that the attacks were dispropotionate and importantly indiscriminate. Innocent lives were taken, children orphaned, women widowed, families ruined, and your answer to this is “food, clothes, computers, medicine.” A naive outlook of the situation.

I think you should switch news channels and see the reality of the economic, social, medical, and psychological disaster caused. These people probably do not even want your money if you give them the option of freedom. Oppressed in their own land. I hope the rest of the world stop being by-standers and provide the help these people deserve.

As British we have had an history of supporting victims of war whether they are the jews during world war 2, Iraqis during the Gulf, or currently Palestine. I feel it is our moral obligation to continue with this and disregard any political influence.

This is the ultimate means of spreading peace, salam, shalom to all.

By: Richard Davies

Richard Davies — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:18:00 +0000

The BBC was 100% wrong to not broadcast the DEC appeal! By claiming that it would raise issues over its impartiality is a whitewash and no-one has failed to comment on how this seems to make the BBC treat ALL its viewers as IDIOTS!

By: James Kent

James Kent — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:12:53 +0000

BBC’s refusal to broadcast the appeal reflects the ignorance of the channel to understand the scale of the disaster. Journalism should accentuate the reality of a situation and allow the public to be the judge. By not broadcasting the appeal shows how considerate BBC are of their viewers opinion.

I think Mark Thompson has expressed his partiality by indicating the appeal was not worthwhile showing. A very poor decision (according to an avid viewer- me). Conversely, Channel 4 has done a great job in retaining its integrity and impartiality. Great job Mr. Snow.

By: David Barker

David Barker — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:33:13 +0000

The TV show was excellent. It was neutral and did not cave in to undue pressure from any one side. I believe that the coverage of Gaza by Channel 4 was accurate, impartial and netural unlike BBC and Sky/Fox. It needed proves what some of us had always known about the BBC that they were pro-israeli and have a zionist view point. As for Sky, I dont believe it is worth even commenting on them as i often find them to be using FOX for their internation coverage. For the mature and informed viewer the fact that BBC and Sky/Fox are in one camp is quite a disgusting evidence of their “impartiality”. I have cancelled my license fee.