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BBC accused of censorship over suppression of 'Gaza: Medics under fire' documentary
Basement Films, the production company behind the documentary Gaza: Medics Under Fire has accused the BBC of suppressing the film despite it being cleared at all editorial levels.
The film, directed by award-winning filmmakers Ben de Pear, Karim Shah, and Ramita Navai, focuses on the experiences of Palestinian medics working under fire during Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza.
According to Basement Films, the documentary underwent extensive fact-checking and legal reviews over 14 months, but the British broadcaster refuses to release the film.
Basement Films said on X: "We are doubtful that our film investigating attacks on hospitals & medics in Gaza, produced with the BBC over 14 months, cleared multiple times at all levels, containing graphic footage of attacks & searing testimony of survivors of those attacks, will be released by the BBC.
"We apologise to the survivors of these attacks, those alleging torture and the families of those killed. They all doubted whether the BBC would ever tell their stories. We thought they would; they still can. We are desperate for this film to be released. Please watch this space."
In response to the suppression of Gaza: Medics Under Fire, over 600 cultural figures, including Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and filmmaker Mike Leigh, signed an open letter urging the BBC to release the documentary.
The signatories argue that the film has undergone thorough editorial reviews and fact-checking and is ready for broadcast. They accuse the BBC of censoring Palestinian voices and undermining its journalistic responsibilities.
The BBC has stated that the airing of Gaza: Medics Under Fire has been delayed while it investigates the production of Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, which was attacked by Israel supporters because it featured the son of Gaza's deputy agriculture minister.
Israel supporters launched a campaign against the film, saying it was Hamas propaganda, and the BBC buckled to pressure and took it down from their platforms.
A BBC spokesperson previously said: "We are committed to journalism which tells our audiences the stories of this war, including what is happening in Gaza. This documentary is a powerful piece of reporting, and we will broadcast it as soon as possible.
"We have taken an editorial decision not to do so while we have an ongoing review into a previous documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone."