With BBC's recent credibility troubles and its Royal Charter up for renewal, the network has had to re-examine its role in broadcasting and accountability to the public.
Why has the Middle East peace process degenerated into undeclared warfare, with Palestinian suicide bombers targeting Israelis, and Israel apparently contemplating unprecedented retaliation? You wouldn't be aware of the facts if you wouldn't be aware of them if you got your information from much of the Western media.
In a remarkable Dec.12 interview with Palestinian human rights campaigner Bassem Eid, BBC anchor Clair Bolderson appeared indignant at Eid's contention that Palestinians should stop shooting at Israelis, and should instead – despite its flaws – continue with the peace process.
An October BBC NewsHour report contained an internal contradiction regarding Palestinian weaponry. In an interview with BBC reporter Claire Bolderson, the head of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, claimed that Palestinian police in Ramallah were forced "under the pressure" of the surrounding Palestinian mob to turn over two captured Israeli soldiers to the crowd, which then murdered the Israelis in the center of Ramallah. Bolderson asks Hazia how the mob was able to overcome the armed police. Hazia responded that the Palestinian public was even more heavily armed than the police.