BBC slammed as programme showed 'pro-Palestine' bias

BBC slammed as programme showed 'pro-Palestine' bias A former senior BBC employee has hit out at the broadcaster's coverage of the conflict in Gaza, claiming it is "insufficiently policed". Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Toby Codd 16:30, Sat, Oct 24, 2026 Updated: 16:42, Sat, Oct 24, 2026 A former BBC producer has criticised the broadcaster's coverage of the conflict in Gaza. (Image: Getty) The BBC has been accused of pro-Palestine bias in its coverage of the war in Gaza . Phil Craig, a former senior producer on Panorama , spoke out against his former employer at the Battle of Ideas festival last Saturday (October 17). He warned that output from the corporation was being "insufficiently policed" and claimed a "new, more radical generation" had taken over the BBC. Mr Craig said: "I’m afraid as I saw what played out in Gaza, my career-long faith in the BBC , just ebbed away. In its fairness and objectivity." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT He continued: "Of course, news makes mistakes. We all know news coverage, it can be faulted. There are wars, people spin them, both sides spin, and there’s propaganda. "But all the mistakes in this particular war seem to be in the same direction. Mistakes of hiring people with incredibly partisan views or maybe even hiring people who were actually part of Hamas. The most outrageous of all, the October hospital moment." Get reviews, gossip and upcoming show releases plus selected offers and competition I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . The broadcaster previously faced significant criticism for its coverage of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital explosion in Gaza City. Correspondent Jon Donnison said during a live broadcast that "it's hard to see what else this could be really given the size of the explosion other than an Israeli air strike or several air strikes." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT It was later confirmed by Western intelligence agencies that the disaster was caused by a misfired rocked launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group from within Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli government condemned the BBC reporting, describing it as "modern blood libel". Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The BBC has been accused of pro-Palestine bias. (Image: Getty) Brits warned 'avoid three UK spots' if WW3 erupts as Army chief says 'prepare' | UK | News | Express.co.uk Jeremy Clarkson issues brutal 4-word verdict on Andy Burnham as PM | UK | News | Express.co.uk On the coverage, Mr Craig added: "It really worried me. I suspect the thing that caused all this is group think. It’s a new generation, perhaps, a new, more radical generation, young people, activists, people insufficiently policed, insufficiently guided, old principles not being enforced in the way they have been on us." As reported by The Telegraph , Mr Craig said he watched the coverage of the alleged hospital strike with "mounting alarm and dismay". He noted the BBC's "global influence" and how the accusation "helped fan fires all around the world". The BBC issued a correction following the coverage, accepting that "it was wrong to speculate in this way". The broadcaster's Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) ruled that Jon Donnison’s speculative reporting was inconsistent with the broadcaster's due accuracy standards. The BBC has insisted it has "no agenda". (Image: Getty) A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC is fully committed to reporting the Israel -Gaza war impartially, with no agenda and to the highest standards of journalism. "We have delivered comprehensive coverage of the conflict with breaking news, ongoing updates on developments and in-depth analysis. BBC News has a duty to our audiences to provide a range of perspectives on the conflict. "When mistakes are made, we are transparent and accountable in acknowledging them and making corrections." BBC Palestine Israel-Hamas war Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments