The British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Middle East editor, Raffi Berg, has been accused of bias and hyperlinks to intelligence companies, in line with an investigation by Drop Site News.
The allegations have reportedly sparked inside dissent and criticism of the BBC’s reporting on Israeli and Palestinian points.
At least 13 BBC staff criticized Berg, accusing him of favoring Israel in his editorial selections whereas one worker alleged that Berg’s position is to “water down everything that’s too critical of Israel.”
The report detailed a tradition of “extreme fear” amongst employees relating to protection vital of Israel, with Berg allegedly enjoying a central position in framing the community’s Middle East reporting as “systematic Israeli propaganda.”
Berg’s profession earlier than becoming a member of the BBC has additionally come underneath scrutiny.
According to MintPress News, he labored for the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS), an intelligence-gathering unit linked to the CIA, from 1998 to 2001.
In a 2020 interview with The Jewish Telegraph, Berg confirmed his CIA ties, recounting how he was knowledgeable of the company’s involvement after being employed.
‘Mossad Collaboration’
The investigation additionally highlighted Berg’s shut relationship with Israeli intelligence company Mossad. His guide, “Red Sea Spies: The True Story of Mossad’s Fake Diving Resort,” was written “in collaboration” with Mossad commander Dani Limor.
Berg described Limor as instrumental in offering entry to intelligence officers, conducting over 100 hours of interviews. Berg has additionally made admiration for Mossad evident, publicly praising the company and framing a letter of appreciation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He has confronted accusations of reshaping BBC protection to guard Israel’s picture. During Israel’s 2012 Operation Cast Lead, leaked emails reportedly confirmed Berg directing reporters to emphasise Hamas because the aggressor fairly than scrutinizing Israeli army actions, in line with the experiences.
Operation Cast Lead resulted in civilian casualties and using banned weapons like white phosphorous.
More not too long ago, underneath Berg’s editorial management, the BBC has been criticized for downplaying Israeli army actions in Gaza.
One controversial occasion concerned the demise of Muhammed Bhar, a Palestinian man with Down syndrome, who Israeli troopers killed throughout their ongoing genocidal warfare on Gaza.
The BBC’s unique headline, “The Lonely Death of Gaza Man with Down’s Syndrome,” was later amended after public backlash to incorporate particulars of his demise.
Internal complaints ignored
Despite a number of inside complaints highlighting Berg’s alleged bias, BBC administration has constantly defended him, in line with the Drop Site report.
Critics argued that the BBC’s Middle East protection displays broader points in Western media, which is steadily accused of whitewashing Israel’s actions and perpetuating false narratives.
A associated investigation by Al Jazeera highlighted related issues, together with CNN’s reliance on unverified claims by the Israeli army.
In one case, a CNN report on a Gaza hospital bombing misinterpreted a calendar as proof of Hamas exercise, additional fueling criticism of Western media’s credibility on the problem.
Source: www.dailysabah.com