BBC Staff Divided Over Call to Wear Palestinian Flag Colors and Keffiyeh

[Social Media]

 

A workplace initiative urging BBC staff to wear the colors of the Palestinian flag and keffiyehs in solidarity with Palestine has sparked division and raised concerns, particularly among Jewish employees. Organized by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) as part of a broader "workplace day of action" for Palestine, the event aims to advocate for a ceasefire, the cessation of violence in Gaza, and the release of hostages. Scheduled for Thursday, the TUC has encouraged participants to visibly demonstrate their support by wearing red, green, black, or the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh.  

 

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which represents many BBC staff, endorsed the event, sharing the call to action with its members. The NUJ also condemned Israeli military actions, stating that since October 7, 2023, at least 135 Palestinian journalists have been killed. "The NUJ is urging branches and chapels to show support on the day and amplify the union’s calls," it said.  

 

However, the initiative has drawn backlash from Jewish staff at the BBC, who worry that visible displays of solidarity with Palestine could jeopardize the broadcaster's impartiality and alienate colleagues. One BBC journalist expressed frustration, describing the action as "hypocritical and antisemitic" and criticizing it for encouraging behavior that might contravene the organization’s impartiality standards. “BBC journalists, who pride themselves on impartiality and who fought to keep their NUJ free of politics, are being encouraged to break the BBC’s editorial guidelines by supporting a political cause,” the journalist said.  

 

Charlotte Henry, a freelance journalist and creator of *The Addition*, a media and tech newsletter, announced she had left the NUJ over its stance. “It has become a hostile environment for Jews, and I can no longer be a part of that,” she stated.  

 

The controversy underscores the tension between advocacy and impartiality within the BBC, where employees are expected to adhere strictly to neutrality guidelines. The Trades Union Congress, which represents 5.5 million members across various sectors, has been criticized by some Jewish organizations for its perceived insensitivity toward Jewish workers.  

 

The Board of Deputies of British Jews issued a statement condemning the TUC’s approach. "It is time for these unions to decide, are they there to support workers or to play student politics on a conflict on whose facts they appear to be plainly ignorant," it read. The Board also warned that introducing such issues into workplaces risks exacerbating tensions for Jewish employees. “Whatever the stated intent, attempts to bring this issue into the workplace in such a fashion will undoubtedly add to the belligerent atmosphere which many Jewish staff have been facing.”  

 

This debate highlights the challenges of navigating political activism in professional environments, particularly in institutions like the BBC, where impartiality is a core principle. As the day of action approaches, the division among staff serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in balancing advocacy, solidarity, and neutrality.

 

Based on a report by The Times 2024-11-28

 

 

 

[stevenl]

Unions should imo stay away from these actions. But i don't see how "the event aims to advocate for a ceasefire, the cessation of violence in Gaza, and the release of hostages" can be labelled antisemitic.

[Bkk Brian]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

A workplace initiative urging BBC staff to wear the colors of the Palestinian flag and keffiyehs in solidarity with Palestine has sparked division and raised concerns, particularly among Jewish employees.

So no different to any other day then with their blatant anti Israel bias

[Denim]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

However, the initiative has drawn backlash from Jewish staff at the BBC, who worry that visible displays of solidarity with Palestine could jeopardize the broadcaster's impartiality and alienate colleagues. 

 

No problem. Just show the Palestinian flag on Monday and Wednesday, the star of David on Tuesday and Thursday , a Ukrainian flag on Fridays, Taiwanese flag on Saturdays then all take the knee on Sundays.

 

Everybody happy .

[JonnyF]

Let them.

 

Nobody sane is even pretending they are impartial anymore. At least wrapping themselves in the Palestinian flag would represent a modicum of honesty from them for once. They could wear Labour party badges on their lapels as well. Maybe change their logo to include a picture of Stalin.

[Tailwagsdog]

How can you be a fact reporting news organisation with such bias. It's really the Department of Left Wing  Propaganda.

No more respect to the BBC.

[jippytum]

For some time the proud boast of impartiality by  the BBC is no more. 

Woke directors and self opinionated presenters have destroyed the reputation and once proud ehthic of a previously world class news organisation. 

 

[RuamRudy]

4 minutes ago, jippytum said:

For some time the proud boast of impartiality by  the BBC is no more. 

Woke directors and self opinionated presenters have destroyed the reputation and once proud ehthic of a previously world class news organisation. 

 

 

Read the article - the headline is misleading. The initiative is from the  TUC and NUJ, not the BBC. 

[biggles45]

For many years I have been an avid watcher of Aljazeera news. Since the Oct 7 massacre and the retaliation by Israel against Hamas in Gaza, I have seen a definite pro Palestine anti Israel bias in their reporting and comments. I have stopped watching now 

[Bkk Brian]

8 minutes ago, jippytum said:

For some time the proud boast of impartiality by  the BBC is no more. 

Woke directors and self opinionated presenters have destroyed the reputation and once proud ehthic of a previously world class news organisation. 

 

Once upon a time, not now unfortunately.

 

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[RichardColeman]

About as lovable as going into your UK bank only to be presented with a rainbow flag every cubic mt

[WDSmart]

I'm pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli as far as the conflict over their territories goes. As long as the wearing of the Palestinian flag colors by the BBC is just an ENCOURAGEMENT, I see nothing wrong with this. If, however, there is some attempt to PERSUADE or ORDER their employees to wear these colors, I am against it. Employees should be allowed to express their own political opinions on matters like these but should not be compelled to do anything like this by their employers. 

[quake]

I would like to see this in all BBC restrooms.

 

[RuamRudy]

8 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

I'm pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli as far as the conflict over their territories goes. As long as the wearing of the Palestinian flag colors by the BBC is just an ENCOURAGEMENT, I see nothing wrong with this. If, however, there is some attempt to PERSUADE or ORDER their employees to wear these colors, I am against it. Employees should be allowed to express their own political opinions on matters like these but should not be compelled to do anything like this by their employers. 

 

It is not a BBC proposal; the article makes clear that it came from the TUC. However, as the very mention of the BBC is catnip to the perma angry, it's guaranteed to get lots of incorrectly attributed bile here. 

[Bkk Brian]

6 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

It is not a BBC proposal; the article makes clear that it came from the TUC. However, as the very mention of the BBC is catnip to the perma angry, it's guaranteed to get lots of incorrectly attributed bile here. 

It affects the BBC staff and the BBC impartiality rules. The fact its not a direct BBC proposal has no bearing on the rules that are in place.

 

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

However, the initiative has drawn backlash from Jewish staff at the BBC, who worry that visible displays of solidarity with Palestine could jeopardize the broadcaster's impartiality and alienate colleagues. One BBC journalist expressed frustration, describing the action as "hypocritical and antisemitic" and criticizing it for encouraging behavior that might contravene the organization’s impartiality standards. “BBC journalists, who pride themselves on impartiality and who fought to keep their NUJ free of politics, are being encouraged to break the BBC’s editorial guidelines by supporting a political cause,” the journalist said.  

 

[billd766]

29 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

I'm pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli as far as the conflict over their territories goes. As long as the wearing of the Palestinian flag colours by the BBC is just an ENCOURAGEMENT, I see nothing wrong with this. If, however, there is some attempt to PERSUADE or ORDER their employees to wear these colours, I am against it. Employees should be allowed to express their own political opinions on matters like these but should not be compelled to do anything like this by their employers. 

A simpler approach might be to give each individual journalist the freedom of choice, with a caveat that they cannot complain what other journalists choice is.

[Chomper Higgot]

Desperate stuff from the Telegraph.

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Desperate stuff from the Telegraph.

Reporting on a backlash from Jewish staff at the BBC and the possible breaking of the BBC's impartially rules if it goes ahead. Why is it desperate? Are the other outlets that report it also desperate?

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Desperate stuff from the Telegraph.

 

  The T in T.U.C doesn't stand for "Telegraph" 

They are the Trades Union Congress . they aren't the Telegraph  Union Congress

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  The T in T.U.C doesn't stand for "Telegraph" 

They are the Trades Union Congress . they aren't the Telegraph  Union Congress

Oddly I didn’t mention the TUC.

[Nick Carter icp]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

Oddly I didn’t mention the TUC.

 

   Its the T.U.C who are trying to organise this . 

The Telegraph would just be reporting on the T.U.C's actions 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Reporting on a backlash from Jewish staff at the BBC and the possible breaking of the BBC's impartially rules if it goes ahead. Why is it desperate? Are the other outlets that report it also desperate?

Because it’s not reporting any breaking of impartiality rules.

 

I think it’s fair to assume the NUJ has members in a UK News outlets, including The Telegraph.

 

 

[RuamRudy]

6 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Reporting on a backlash from Jewish staff at the BBC and the possible breaking of the BBC's impartially rules if it goes ahead. Why is it desperate? Are the other outlets that report it also desperate?

 

The key word being 'if'. That's why it's desperate - the desperation being all the BBC haters hoping that this transitions from a nothing to something they can really froth about. 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Its the T.U.C who are trying to organise this . 

The Telegraph would just be reporting on the T.U.C's actions 

But I didn’t comment on the TUC.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, RuamRudy said:

 

The key word being 'if'. That's why it's desperate - the desperation being all the BBC haters hoping that this transitions from a nothing to something they can really froth about. 

 

 Correct.

[transam]

Why not wear black, for all those Istrealis put to death by a band of murderers............

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, RuamRudy said:

 

The key word being 'if'. That's why it's desperate - the desperation being all the BBC haters hoping that this transitions from a nothing to something they can really froth about. 

 

So only report after the event, not on the concerns of the Jewish staff and others that disagree and the imminent breaking of impartiality rules "if" it goes ahead? 

 

Got it, wait for the jews to froth first........

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 Correct.

Is this also desperate reporting?

 

BBC journalists resign from union over Palestinian colors directive

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/399889

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

But I didn’t comment on the TUC.

 

 

He didn't say you did. He was explaining facts however, unlike you.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

19 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Desperate stuff from the Telegraph.

 

Says a Guardian reader