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The Times: In a contentious interview with the BBC, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the broadcaster should follow British law and describe Hamas as a “terrorist organisation.” Shapps was questioned by BBC presenter Mishal Husain, who highlighted that the BBC is obligated to follow Ofcom guidelines, which other broadcasters also adhere to. Shapps insisted that it was “pretty clear” that Hamas was involved in terrorist activities and should be labeled as such, citing its proscription by law.
Rishi Sunak, another high-ranking official, also urged the BBC to refer to Hamas as terrorists, while veteran BBC editor John Simpson cautioned that doing so would be tantamount to “taking sides.”
Amid political pressure, the BBC is not planning to review its guidelines that currently restrain journalists from labeling actions in Israel as “terrorism.” The internal atmosphere within the BBC has been described as “fraught,” as senior staff question whether its existing guidelines are appropriate.
Five leading barristers have accused the BBC of abandoning impartiality by not using the term “terrorists” to describe Hamas, citing it as a “matter of legal fact” that the group is proscribed as a terrorist organisation under British law. Meanwhile, other news outlets like Sky News and ITV News have also referred to Hamas as militants and fighters, reflecting a broader debate on terminology in media coverage.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/minister-presses-bbc-chief-on-decision-not-to-call-hamas-terrorists-s2cpxcq66
