BBC quietly U-turns on calling Hamas 'militants' as chief exec faces crunch meeting over coverage
Tim Davie, new Director General of the BBC, arrives at BBC Scotland in Glasgow for his first day in the role
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The BBC has quietly U-turned on labelling Hamas terrorists as “militants” as the broadcaster’s chief executives prepares for a crunch meeting over its coverage with Tory MPs.
The corporation will now call the group, who launched its assault against Israel on October 7, a “proscribed terrorist organisation”.
Hamas were branded terrorists by the Government in 2019 under the guidance of then-Home Secretary Priti Patel.
The BBC has been roundly criticised over its refusal to describe Hamas fighters as terrorists.
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The corporation will now call the group, who launched its assault against Israel on October 7, a “proscribed terrorist organisation”.
Hamas were branded terrorists by the Government in 2019 under the guidance of then-Home Secretary Priti Patel.
The BBC has been roundly criticised over its refusal to describe Hamas fighters as terrorists.
The UK’s national broadcaster previously cited its editorial guidelines as the reason for refusing to use the word terrorist.
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Protesters outside BBC Broadcasting House, London
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A statement from the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: “The BBC confirmed it was committed to continued dialogue.
“It also confirmed it is no longer BBC practice to call Hamas militants.”
Davie added: “The BBC is committed to continuing dialogue through this period.”
Sir Graham Brady addresses the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs
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A spokesman from the broadcaster also said: “What the BBC does not do is use the word terrorist without attributing it, nor do we ban words.
“We also confirmed that for some days we had not been using 'militant' as a default description for Hamas, as we have been finding this a less accurate description as the situation evolves.”
Davie is due to appear at the next 1922 Committee meeting.
The group, which is made up of backbench Tory MPs, will next meet on October 25.
General view of Broadcasting House, London
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Davie unsuccessfully stood as a Conservative candidate in 1993 and 1994 in the Hammersmith & Fulham London Borough Council elections.
He was also deputy chairman of the Hammersmith & Fulham Conservative Association in the 1990s.
Labour’s Shadow Minister Justin Madders criticised Davie for his upcoming appearance.
The Ellesmere Port & Neston MP said: “If the director-general of the BBC wants to talk to MPs he should talk to all of them of all parties, not just some.”