BBC director general Tim Davie has apologised after an internal investigation found the broadcaster breached editorial guidelines over a documentary about children in Gaza. The programme, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, failed to inform viewers that its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
The investigation, led by Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints and reviews, concluded that the production company Hoyo Films knew of the father’s position but did not tell the BBC. However, it found no evidence of intentional misleading and no breaches of impartiality or improper payments.
Davie said the report identified “a significant failing in relation to accuracy” and announced new editorial controls, including enhanced background checks. No one has been dismissed over the error, but Davie promised “fair, clear and appropriate actions” to ensure accountability.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has repeatedly criticised the BBC, calling the documentary a “catastrophic failure”. She said the corporation “must ensure that such errors are never repeated” and demanded to know why no one had lost their job. Ofcom has also launched an investigation into whether the programme misled audiences.
The controversy comes amid broader pressure on Davie, including allegations against former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace and fallout from the BBC’s Glastonbury coverage. Davie and BBC chair Samir Shah have been summoned to answer questions from MPs after the summer recess.
