Most Complained-About UK TV Moment of the Year: Julia Brewer & Palestinian Politician

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A fiery exchange between TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer and Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti has been revealed as the most complained-about television event of the year, according to media regulator Ofcom. The interview, which delved into the contentious Hamas-Israel war, garnered an astonishing 17,366 complaints, almost doubling the highest number of complaints recorded for a single programme last year.

Julia Hartley-Brewer clashes with with Palestinian MP Dr Mustafa Barghouti after the Hamas deputy leader was assassinated.

Julia: “For the love of God, let me finish the sentence man!”

Mustafa: “You are misleading the public!"@JuliaHB1 pic.twitter.com/uVar87ijYM

— Talk (@TalkTV) January 3, 2024

 

During the interview, Hartley-Brewer clashed with Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative. Tensions escalated as the presenter accused Barghouti of interrupting her repeatedly, asserting, “Maybe you’re not used to women talking.” This comment in particular drew significant backlash from viewers, fueling the volume of complaints submitted to Ofcom.

 

By comparison, last year’s most complained-about moment involved Laurence Fox, who made widely criticized "misogynistic comments" about female journalist Ava Evans. That incident received 8,867 complaints, significantly fewer than the controversy surrounding Hartley-Brewer’s TalkTV segment.

 

It is noteworthy that complaints directed at the BBC are not included in Ofcom’s figures, as the corporation handles such matters independently. The volume of complaints highlights the divisive nature of certain media discussions, particularly those centered on sensitive global issues.

 

 Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-12-21