Why did the BBC remove the documentary 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone' from iPlayer?

The BBC removed the documentary to conduct further due diligence after discovering that the narrator, Abdullah Al-Yazouri, is the son of a Hamas deputy minister, and other children in the documentary were linked to Hamas figures.

What was the reaction from the Culture Secretary regarding the documentary?

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced plans to discuss the documentary with the BBC, focusing on how participants were sourced and the broader issues of representation in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

How did the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians respond to the controversy?

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians criticized the concerns raised about the documentary, urging the BBC to stand firm against attempts to suppress Palestinian perspectives.

What other criticisms did the documentary face besides the narrator's family ties?

The documentary faced additional criticisms, including claims that other children were photographed with Hamas figures and concerns about mistranslations and the sourcing of participants.

3 sources·Entertainment

BBC Pulls Gaza Documentary Amid Controversy Over Narrator's Hamas Connection

The BBC has removed a Gaza documentary from iPlayer for further investigation into the narrator's ties to Hamas after public backlash and demands for transparency.

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The decision comes after Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said on Thursday she would discuss the matter with the BBC's director general and chairman, "particularly around the way in which they sourced the people who were featured in the programme".
BBC pulls Gaza film as it carries out checks over Hamas links
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The film soon faced backlash after investigative journalist David Collier revealed that Abdullah was, in fact, the son of Hamas's deputy minister of agriculture.
BBC apologizes after featuring Hamas minister's son in Gaza documentary
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The decision reflects a frustration that the filmmakers did not inform the broadcaster of the situation before transmission.
BBC pulls Gaza documentary featuring child whose father was Hamas minister
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Updated: Feb 21st, 2025, 12:17 PM ET

Summary

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The BBC has taken down 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone' from its iPlayer service following the discovery that the 13-year-old narrator is the son of a Hamas deputy minister. The decision comes after criticism regarding the film's perceived bias and failure to disclose this connection. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has expressed intentions to discuss the sourcing practices used in the documentary with BBC officials. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding media representation of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

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