Here's one more reason to attend Thursday's vigil outside the BBC, endorsed by Arab Media Watch:
There was a disgraceful Newsnight programme aired on November 30 featuring the "Diary of a Suicide Bomber". Under the pretence that he would talk about the Palestinian elections, H.E. Afif Safieh, the Palestinian General Delegate to the UK and Holy See, was asked to take part. Instead, Newsnight chose to include a piece of footage about a suicide bomber. What followed was a blatant use of language that may as well have come from the PR department of the Israeli government.
The response from our members and the public has already been strong. Make sure it is stronger so the BBC unequivocally gets the message.
Gaza was referred to as DISPUTED territory (the UN has constantly reaffirmed that the Palestinian territories are occupied and the 4th Geneva Convention applies. The UK government has also reaffirmed this).
Twice the Palestinians were said to be fighting the JEWISH enemy, not Israeli occupation.
Settlements were not described as illegal (again reaffirmed by the UN and UK government).
We cannot allow the usage of this terminology to creep into the mainstream media. Pressure must be put on the BBC not to cave into intimidation.
Also, the only violence shown was from the Palestinians. No mention or footage was included of Israeli violence. Indeed, the Israeli spokesperson was allowed to repeat that it was up to the Palestinians to halt violence.
The interviewer, Gavin Essler, also adopted an aggressive approach to Afif Safieh.
The text below is from the front page of the Newsnight website, followed by contact numbers/email to make complaints. Please maintain politeness and accuracy.
Diary of a suicide bomber
We have an extraordinary film containing footage of a Palestinian suicide bomber as he trained for the attack and as he carried it out. We talk to his family to find out what made him do it and we hear from the Israeli soldiers he tried to kill. And we ask what it will take to stop such killing.
NB: This film is not available on line due to rights issues.
Elections
Hamas and Islamic Jihad - who have been responsible for suicide attacks - are not going to take part in elections for a successor to Yasser Arafat. Our diplomatic editor Mark Urban reports on whether the elections will result in a Palestinian administration able to convince its own people to agree to a peace with the Israelis.
Newsnight information
Frontpage:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/4056447.stm
Online feedback page:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/newsid_3950000/newsid_3958800/3958817.stm
Tel: 020 8624 9800
E-mail newsnight@bbc.co.uk, mark.urban@bbc.co.uk, gavin.esler@bbc.co.uk, malcolm.balen@bbc.co.uk.
Please Bcc e-mails (which will remain confidential) to info@arabmediawatch.com and Afif Safieh at Palestinianuk@aol.com.
Complaints:
Head of Programme Complaints
BBC Media Centre
Media Village
201 Wood Lane
London W12 7TQ
Tel: 08700 100 222
Write to BBC Information, PO Box 1922, Glasgow G2 3WT
Main Switchboard:
Tel No 020 8752 5252 / 020 8743 8000
Fax No 020 8749 7534 / 020 8752 6060 / 020 8749 7872