BBC executive dismisses letter from Jewish staff highlighting systemic antisemitism at network, providing examples of inaccuracy and bias in the BBC’s coverage of the war in Gaza.
Over 200 BBC staff, contractors, suppliers, and contributors wrote to the board and to BBC Chairman Samir Shah in July, demanding „an urgent formal investigation” into what the letter described as „anti-Jewish racism” at the BBC, reports The Jerusalem Post.
The letter stated that „Jews don’t count” and declared that antisemitism is systemic at the BBC. In addition to 208 named signatories, there were 112 who wished to remain anonymous.
Shah dismissed the calls for an investigation. While he said it is a „great concern” that some staff felt that way, he stressed that the corporation is „successful” in creating an „inclusive working environment where people from all backgrounds feel welcome, safe and supported.”
„I am satisfied, however, that where we have made errors, the executives have acted appropriately and handled matters in accordance to the guidance as they apply to my colleagues,” Shah said. „Following your correspondence, I have asked the executive to review the papers you sent and to see if there’s anything included that has not been previously considered.”
The letter provided examples of inaccuracy and bias in the BBC’s coverage of the war in Gaza and provided testimony from Jewish employees. It also included survey responses that show 78% of Jewish BBC readers see the network as, at minimum, biased on the Israel-Hamas War.
The letter included specific instances where Jewish staff experienced „prejudice and racism at work.” It stated that there is „a widespread opinion that, when it comes to racism and discrimination at the BBC, Jews don’t count.”
„When Jews tell you they feel antisemitism, don’t question it or define it for us,” Neil Grant, a Bafta-award-winning executive producer and signatory of the letter, said, claiming that Shah was gaslighting his employees.
One anonymous employee said, „Every week, it gets a little harder being a Jew at the BBC. Harder to sit in the office and listen to colleagues discussing their very personal views about the war in Gaza and attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israel. Harder listening, watching, and reading the loaded output about events in the Middle East and colleagues’ partial and often offensive social media posts, and harder to go home at night and speak to friends and family who hold me responsible for the BBC contributing to the rise in antisemitism in the UK because I am an employee and so guilty by association.”
„The response, nothing to see here, not even worthy of an investigation, gaslighting by every definition,” said film producer Leo Pearlman, one of the signatories.
Photo credit: Carl Court /Getty
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