A BAFTA Television Award winner used the ceremony to challenge the BBC over its decision to drop a documentary about Gaza. The current affairs film 'Gaza: Doctors Under Attack' won the prize for best documentary about current affairs at the event on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
Political Acceptance Speech
Executive producer Ben De Pear took the stage alongside journalist Ramita Navia to accept the award. In his speech, he thanked the journalists involved before directly addressing the BBC, which had originally commissioned the programme but later shelved it over impartiality concerns. He asked: 'Finally, just a question for the BBC: given you dropped our film, will you drop us from the Bafta screening later tonight?'
The BBC, which broadcast the ceremony on a delay of about two hours, did not air the awards live. The documentary was eventually shown by Channel 4.
Powerful Speech on Gaza Casualties
Ramita Navia delivered a strong statement about the investigation featured in the film. She said: 'Israel has killed over 47,000 children and women in Gaza. So far, Israel has bombed and targeted every single one of Gaza’s hospitals. It’s killed over 1,700 Palestinian doctors and health care workers. It has imprisoned over 400 in what the UN now calls the medicide. These are the findings of our investigation that the BBC paid for but refused to show. But we refuse to be silenced and censored. We thank Channel 4 for showing this film. Right now, there are over 80 Palestinian doctors and healthcare workers being held in detention centres that Israeli human rights groups describe as torture camps. We dedicate this award to them.'
BBC's Decision and Response
The documentary was commissioned over a year ago by the BBC through its independent production company Basement Films. However, the broadcaster delayed its release while conducting an internal review into a separate Gaza-related programme. After the review, the BBC decided not to air the film, citing concerns that it could create 'a perception of partiality that would not meet the high standards that the public rightly expect'. The BBC also stated that production was paused during the review and that it remained committed to covering the conflict in Gaza, having produced 'powerful coverage' on the issue.
