The BBC is facing accusations of systemic problems of antisemitism and bias, with more than 200 people from the TV and film industry signing a letter to the BBC board calling for an urgent investigation.
The letter, signed by 208 BBC staff, contractors, suppliers, and contributors, many of whom are Jewish, expressed “anguish and disbelief” that complaints about coverage and social media posts during the Israel-Gaza war had not been addressed. The signatories claimed there had been multiple breaches of the broadcaster’s social media guidelines.
Former BBC One controller Danny Cohen and former ITV executive Claudia Rosencrantz were among the signatories, highlighting concerns that the BBC may have a serious institutional racism problem.
The letter called for an urgent formal investigation by the board into the issues and criticized senior management for failing to properly address the problem. It cited posts from prominent figures like Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker and BBC Arabic staff as examples of the alleged bias.
The BBC responded by stating that it stands against any form of abuse, prejudice, or intolerance and has processes in place to handle concerns or complaints. The broadcaster emphasized its commitment to impartiality in journalism and acknowledged mistakes when they occur.
The letter’s signatories expressed disappointment in the BBC’s response, with former Panorama producer Neil Grant stating that Jewish staff feel let down by the organization. The BBC said its chairman had responded directly to the letter and reiterated its commitment to addressing concerns raised by staff.
The accusations of antisemitism and bias at the BBC have sparked a debate within the industry and raised questions about the broadcaster’s handling of sensitive issues. The call for an investigation reflects growing concerns about diversity and inclusion in the media landscape.
