The BBC is afraid

The BBC broadcast Bob Vylan's performance at the Glastonbury Festival live, but will not include it in its on-demand concert repository due to the cries of "Death to the Israeli Defense Forces!" that were heard. The BBC did not offer one of the most anticipated sets, that of the Northern Irish band Kneecap, live because at a previous gig in London, one of its members waved a Hezbollah flag. After numerous postponements, the BBC decided not to broadcast the documentary. Gaza: Doctors under attack, which will be released on Channel 4. The BBC removed it from its platform Gaza: How to Survive in Warzone, because one of the children recounting his experience was the son of a Hamas official. The BBC dismissed its star commentator Gary Lineker for sharing a memo that included an image associated with antisemitism—a rat—although the footballer claimed he was unaware of that meaning and despite having withdrawn the sharing of that message in favor of the Palestinian cause.

All these decisions may have an internal logic, and surely contrary examples could be found: the BBC is also accused, from the other side, of having an anti-Israeli bias. But what these five recent examples unite is fear. And it is the fear of being accused of bias that is leading to paralysis and an inhibition from telling relevant stories or capturing and displaying the popular sentiment expressed at mass concerts by hip-hop groups. Aseptic conditions do not exist because they always benefit the powerful. And, in this specific case, the powerful made very good sure that international journalists cannot enter Gaza. Israel's command of the narrative is impeccable. The BBC should realize that, in its race for impartiality, it's playing into Israel's hands. Out of fear.