Accused of antisemitism, BBC orders staff to undergo anti-discrimination training
Workers have six months to complete online courses on antisemitism and Islamophobia, following discussions with British Jewish group about coverage of Israel-Hamas war
Zev Stub is the Times of Israel's Diaspora Affairs correspondent.
Following widespread criticism of how it broadcast Israel’s war in Gaza, the BBC ordered all staff members on Wednesday to complete a training course on antisemitism, as well as one on Islamophobia.
According to a note sent by BBC Director-General Tim Davie, staff will have six months to complete the e-learning courses.
“As an organization, we stand united against any form of discrimination, prejudice, or intolerance,” Davie wrote.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it welcomed the announcement, which followed months of discussions it held with the BBC, including a meeting held on Tuesday, which addressed antisemitism training, concerns relating to BBC Arabic, and wider Middle East coverage.
“The BBC finds itself in a moment of challenge and opportunity,” Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said. “It can continue in the same vein, with the same problems, or it can make changes that restore trust and pride in the central place of our national broadcaster in an ever-more fraught and fractious media and societal landscape.
“We hope that today’s announcement on antisemitism training to all staff is the start of a more positive journey,” he added.
Davie announced his resignation from his position last month after a leaked internal memo highlighted editorial bias in the British public broadcaster’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, in the editing of a speech by US President Donald Trump, and on transgender issues.
The memo noted that the BBC’s Arabic service had selectively covered stories critical of Israel, including by avoiding stories about hostages held by Hamas.
It also criticized the BBC for allegedly misreporting the proportion of Palestinian women and children killed by Israeli military actions, as well as for inaccurately portraying the likelihood of children facing starvation during Israel’s two-month aid blockade.
Davie will remain in the position until the board finds a replacement.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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