If they relay the facts, accurately and objectively, there is a deluge of pressure from the Israel lobby. Phone calls, emails - it’s extraordinary. And organised.
This is the ‘electric fence’ approach to media monitoring and management, as Nick Davies calls it. You disincentivise accuracy, or even just covering stories. Even the smallest thing gets a response (like a small shock from a fence). Producers know there are costs for covering Israel, so they calculate ‘let’s leave it this time’.
It’s not excusable, but it’s explicable. For the BBC, however, which is public service journalism, and which we all pay for, it’s unacceptable.
This is what happens when you outsource your policy programme to the Tony Blair Institute, corporates & tech billionaires.
Any trade unions, civil society orgs and campaign groups opposing this dystopian mess - count me in.
@cruger7 Its from one of those Channel4/5 shows where they count down the "best 50 sitcom moments" or something and they will play this before they reveal the next one.