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Wednesday 29 August 2007

BBC bias - and an expert contributor

Some interesting video of a frequent BBC "expert contributor" to news programmes regarding the Middle East has come to light. Abd Al-Bari Atwan, editor-in-chief of the UK based Arabic daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi, told a Lebanese TV interviewer he will dance in Trafalgar Square when Iran nukes Israel. You can see the interview fron June this year here where Abd Al-Bari Atwan gives his views on any forthcoming conflict between the US and Iran. When discussing Iran's retaliation he concludes "and Allah willing, it will attack Israel as well. If the Iranian missiles strike Israel - by Allah, I will go to Trafalgar Square,and dance with delight if the Iranian missiles strike Israel."

The BBC have reacted to the video by saying that editors make decisions based on the following BBC guidelines. “We should not automatically assume that academics and journalists from other organizations are impartial and make it clear to our audience when contributors are associated with a particular viewpoint.” I wonder if the BBC (or Sky who Abd Al-Bari Atwan also contributes to) will preface any "expert views" from Abd Al-Bari Atwan with the video or the text as above? I think we all know the answer to that. The BBC probably think he is a moderate anyway.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

BBC...

Expert contributer...

Ex(X) = unknown factor
Spert = a brief flash of imagination.

The BBC:

"That's what we do"