More than 200 individuals from the TV and film industry have demanded an immediate investigation into claims of antisemitism at the BBC.
Key signatories include Leo Pearlman, managing partner at Fulwell 73 and executive producer of the 2021 musical film Cinderella, former BBC One controller turned Telegraph columnist Danny Cohen, and former ITV executive Claudia Rosencrantz. These industry figures have addressed their concerns in a letter to the BBC Board.
The letter states that "208 BBC staff, contractors, suppliers, and contributors from across the television and film industries, the majority of whom are Jewish," are in "anguish and disbelief" over the BBC’s handling of previous complaints regarding coverage and social media violations amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
It asserts: "We all work in the film and broadcast industries. But we are also members of the wider British Jewish community and can vouch with certainty that there is a loss of faith in the BBC within our community and a widespread opinion that, when it comes to racism and discrimination at the BBC, ‘Jews don’t count’.”
The letter continues: "Our conclusion from this correspondence should be a matter of shame for the BBC. By contrast, we are certain that were similar incidents to occur at the expense of any other minority, the BBC would show zero tolerance. And with this volume of incidents as documented in our three attachments, they would certainly be worried they might have a serious, institutional racism problem.
"We write to you today to request an urgent formal investigation by the BBC Board into systemic problems of antisemitism and bias at the BBC, alongside senior management’s demonstrable failure to properly address the issue."
Previous documents sent to BBC chairman Samir Shah in July are referenced, alleging multiple breaches of the BBC’s social media guidelines by staff, including posts from Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker, a former contestant on The Apprentice, and BBC Arabic staff.
In one instance, Lineker retweeted a post by a pro-Palestinian group, which he later claimed was done in error. He faced significant backlash and described the social media environment surrounding the Hamas-Israel conflict as “toxic.”
Social media guidelines were subsequently updated, emphasizing that BBC flagship presenters have a "particular responsibility to help to balance commitments to both freedom of expression and impartiality." This followed Lineker’s controversial comparison of government asylum seeker policy to 1930s Germany, which resulted in his temporary removal from air.
The letter also highlights accusations of "bias and inaccuracy" in the BBC’s reporting and expresses concerns about the treatment of Jewish staff. The response from the BBC’s chief content officer Charlotte Moore was labeled "brief and unsatisfactory" by the signatories.
Former Panorama producer Neil Grant, one of the letter's signatories, stated: “When Jews tell you they feel antisemitism, don’t question it or define it for us. Simply, Jews don’t count inside the BBC. When we present compelling evidence of the BBC’s institutionalised antisemitism, signed by over 200 colleagues we expect to be listened to and not gaslit, especially by the BBC Board who won’t even formally discuss our concerns.
“No other minority would be treated in this way. More concerned with reputation management, I am saddened and appalled with the PSB (public service broadcaster) I have adored and supported all my professional life. Enough is enough.”
BBC director-general Tim Davie has previously addressed staff concerns, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of abuse, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism.
A BBC spokeswoman responded: "The BBC Chairman has responded to this letter directly. It is a great concern to us if anyone does not feel supported at work and we have well-established and robust processes in place to handle any concerns or complaints raised with us confidentially. We have highlighted these to the signatories of the letter. As an organisation, we stand united against any form of abuse, prejudice, or intolerance. Editorially, we are committed to the highest standards of impartiality in our journalism and in a small number of cases where there have been mistakes we have acknowledged this. Where staff conduct has fallen below expectations, we have taken action.”
Since October 2023, the BBC has established community groups for Arab and Muslim employees, as well as Jewish staff, through the staff-led network BBC Embrace. Photo by Chmee2, Wikimedia commons.