The BBC has withdrawn its documentary ‘Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone’ from iPlayer amid scrutiny of its content and the child’s father, a Hamas official.
The BBC has removed a documentary titled Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone from its iPlayer platform amid ongoing scrutiny regarding its content and the background of its narrator. The film, which aired for the first time on BBC Two on Monday at 9pm, features a child narrator, Abdullah Al-Yazouri, whose father, Ayman Alyazouri, has been identified as the deputy minister of agriculture for Hamas.
The broadcaster issued an apology after it was revealed that Abdullah is the son of a prominent figure within the Hamas administration, prompting concerns regarding the documentary’s impartiality. In response to these revelations, the BBC has added a disclaimer to the programme and is currently conducting “further due diligence with the production company,” Hoyo Films, which is based in London. As a result, the documentary has been taken down from the iPlayer platform while this review is undertaken.
The controversy surrounding the documentary has intensified with additional claims of other children appearing alongside Hamas militants in the film, raising questions about the overall message and representation of the conflict. The BBC has addressed these concerns on its clarifications and corrections page, stating that the documentary is intended to tell the important stories of children living in Gaza. “Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone features important stories we think should be told – those of the experiences of children in Gaza,” the broadcaster noted.
Since the onset of hostilities in October 2023, following attacks by Hamas on festivalgoers and Israeli settlers, the Gaza Health Ministry has reported over 48,000 Palestinian deaths. Currently, Hamas is in the process of releasing hostages to Israel as part of a ceasefire agreement.
The documentary has faced criticism not only for its content but also for perceived attempts to hinder Palestinian narratives. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians has spoken against the backlash faced by Hoyo Films and the BBC, asserting that the criticism underscores a broader trend of dismissing Palestinian perspectives. In a statement, the organisation said, “For some, almost any Palestinian perspective appears to be deemed unacceptable,” adding that Abdullah’s father’s government position does not diminish the validity of his lived experience.
As the BBC navigates the implications of these findings, the fate of Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing about its availability and potential impact on public discourse regarding the situation in Gaza.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/bbc-pulls-gaza-documentary-hamas-links-expose-mmmu8zk5 – This article corroborates the removal of the documentary ‘Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone’ from BBC iPlayer due to the narrator’s family ties to Hamas. It highlights the controversy surrounding the documentary’s impartiality.
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/bbc-pulls-gaza-documentary-after-star-revealed-as-son-of-hamas-official/ – This article supports the claim that the documentary was pulled after it was discovered that the narrator, Abdullah Al-Yazouri, is the son of a Hamas deputy minister. It also mentions the BBC’s response to the controversy.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article discussing the removal of the documentary and the controversy surrounding it, including concerns about impartiality and representation.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer – Although the documentary is currently unavailable, this URL would typically host ‘Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone’ and reflects the platform from which it was removed.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/17/gaza-israel-violence-escalates-after-hamas-attacks – This article provides context about the hostilities in Gaza, including attacks by Hamas, which is relevant to the setting of the documentary.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events, such as hostilities starting in October 2023, indicating it is current and not recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
No direct quotes from specific sources are provided, but statements from organisations like the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians are mentioned without clear original sources.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable publication, The Irish News, which generally provides reliable information.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims about the documentary and its controversy are plausible given the context of ongoing political tensions and media scrutiny. However, some details, like specific figures or additional claims, lack direct evidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is generally reliable due to its recent context and origin from a reputable publication. While some details lack direct evidence, the overall plausibility and lack of clear inaccuracies support its credibility.
