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bbcwatch was established in 2000 to conduct objective, statistical studies of the BBC’s news coverage of events in the Middle East.

The bbcwatch Reports demonstrate how the BBC consistently fails to adhere to its legal obligations to produce impartial and accurate reporting. Our systematic, objective and rigorous research points to the firm conclusion that the BBC frequently displays marked and consistent pro-Palestinian bias in their coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Their inability to report on this subject in an impartial way raises questions over their ability to report on all other politically sensitive issues.

The British public continues to pay for this unfair, partial and inaccurate news service through the licence fee. We wonder whether it is healthy for Britain’s democracy that such huge public funds should be provided to what is essentially a monopolistic and unaccountable body. If the BBC cannot provide impartial news coverage it has no legitimate call on public funds simply to promote its own prejudices.


Trevor Asserson

WHO IS BBCWATCH?

bbcwatch was set up as a privately funded initiative and is wholly independent of any other organisation.

TREVOR ASSERSON is a UK solicitor and a member of the Israeli Bar. For 20 years he worked as a lawyer in the UK, where his positions included head of international litigation at Bird & Bird, one of the largest litigation firms in Europe, and senior litigation partner at Morgan Lewis, one of the largest law firms in the world. His clients include sovereign states, multinational companies and banks, and high net worth individuals.

In 2000, Trevor Asserson produced his first report on BBC coverage of the Middle East, under the title ofbbcwatch. They have since published four further reports on the subject, and continue to monitor BBC output.

Trevor’s reports are widely quoted on television, radio and in printed media; they have been quoted in The Times, Financial Times, Telegraph, Evening Standard, The Sun, New York Times and other newspapers. Trevor has taken part in radio and television interviews and discussions in the UK, USA, South Africa, Israel and even an Arab new network. The bbcwatch reports have been quoted in academic works on Israel and the media, and used in university courses. As an expert on the subject of BBC Middle East reporting, Trevor has lectured widely about his reports, and is approached for advice on the subject by politicians, diplomats, lawyers, journalists, community leaders and others around the world.

In 2005, Trevor Asserson and his family moved to Israel and he set up Asserson Law Offices, a UK law firm operating from Israel, specializing in international litigation.

ABOUT THE BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation is an extremely influential news source. It is reputed to provide fair and unbiased reporting of world political events, both within the UK and internationally. It broadcasts news through TV, radio and a much visited Internet site. Its principal language is English, which has established itself as the dominant language of world commerce, politics and education. The BBC World Service broadcasts in a number of other languages.

Funded by a public tax, the BBC is free from the need to attract advertising revenue. It also claims to be free from Government interference. All these factors combined enhance its credibility as an impartial news source and so increase its influence. However this influence is dependent upon the BBC maintaining its reputation for ‘accuracy and impartiality’.

The BBC’s Charter and the BBC Producers Guidelines state that the BBC shall…

• “…contain comprehensive, authoritative and impartial coverage of news and current affairs in the United Kingdom and throughout the world…”

• “…treat controversial subjects with due accuracy and impartiality… and…not contain any material expressing the opinion of the corporation…”

• “…Due impartiality lies at the heart of the BBC. All programs and services should be open minded, fair and show a respect for truth…The BBC applies due impartiality to all its broadcasting and services, both to domestic and international audiences…”

To download a copy of the BBC Charter, click here.

BBC Charter Review website: www.bbccharterreview.org.

To download a copy of the BBC Producers Guidelines, click here.

To download and read the BBC Watch Reports, click here.