BBC issues urgent review after describing Hamas terrorists as 'journalists'

The BBC has issued an urgent review after it seemingly described Hamas terrorists as “journalists”. The broadcaster reported the deaths of 53 “journalists” in Gaza who have since been claimed as terrorists by Hamas and other groups. Some of those reported took part in the October 7 attacks and have been hailed as “martyrs” by the terror organisations. The reports describing them as journalists appeared on BBC Arabic. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The BBC has now told The Telegraph it is reviewing whether to include the militants in its coverage. A BBC spokesman said: “This report was last updated in August 2025 and covers the deaths of journalists over the course of the conflict, in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel, regardless of their media outlet’s political affiliations. “The story was based on the information available at the time it was published. In light of the CPJ’s June 2026 update, we are looking at those included in the piece.” Many of the claimed journalists are pictured on social media in military wear and holding weapons, and in some cases wearing headbands associated with terror groups. The BBC have described 53 dead terrorists as 'journalists' | GETTY Rebecca Paul, the shadow culture secretary, told The Telegraph the latest disclosures were “part of a long-running problem with impartiality and accountability” at BBC Arabic. Danny Cohen, the former director of BBC television, said the broadcaster was still “failing in its duties of balance and accuracy when it comes to its reporting of Israel”. When the conflict in the Middle East began, BBC Arabic began publishing a list of journalists who had been killed; it is still available on their website and is regularly updated. More than 180 Palestinians are on the list, as well as four Israelis. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: France tells police not to stop illegal migrants in shallow waters China stockpiling 'secret war chest for Taiwan invasion' which houses near-untouchable billions Andy Burnham faces backlash over decision to invite Vladimir Putin to G20 summit The broadcaster is now reviewing their inclusion | GETTY Ten of those described as journalists appear on the English-language BBC News website, while the remaining 43 appear only on BBC Arabic. Twelve have been removed from a casualty list kept by the independent Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a US-based organisation that defends journalists' rights. The CPJ removed the 12 after deciding they were either “not journalists or media workers” or that they had “participated in combat”. Terrorist groups have also published obituaries of some of the “journalists”. Mr Cohen said: “Once again, the BBC finds itself at the centre of a scandal of inaccuracy and anti-Israel bias. “Given the BBC’s vast journalistic resources, this is simply not good enough.” Ms Paul said: “The BBC’s failures on BBC Arabic are part of a long-running problem with impartiality and accountability. “If the BBC wants to regain the public’s trust, it must stop giving undue credibility to anti-Semites and terrorists and apply the same rigorous standards to everyone.” Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter