Martin Asser

Border-line Improvement at BBC “Obstacles” Series

Of all the installments of Martin Asser's "Obstacles to Peace" series, the "Borders and Settlements" section is the most balanced. Though it lacks the vitriolic language of the other reports, it nevertheless has serious shortcomings.

BBC: Obstacle to Understanding on Water

BBC's Martin Asser observes that "Middle Eastern rhetoric" often casts "Israel as a malevolent sponge sucking up Arab water resources." His article is a prime example of that distorted picture.

BBC: Obstacle to Understanding on Refugees

In light of Martin Asser’s May 24, 2007 "Obstacles to Peace: Refugees” feature, which employs the most extreme myths and cliches about the Palestinian refugees, its no wonder “there is no Arab-Israeli issue that remains as utterly divisive as the fate of Palestinian refugees.”

BBC: Obstacle to Understanding on Jerusalem

The BBC News Web site's series about obstacles to peace in the Middle East finds one culprit: Israel. Terrorism and incitement to genocide are not part of the one-sided equation.

BBC’s Profiles Obscure Reality

More than a year ago (2001-2002), BBC posted on its Web site several profiles of Middle Eastern leaders and groups. The profiles whitewashed Palestinian terrorist figures while, at the same time, harshly disparaging the Israeli prime minister. Despite letters to BBC about its unfair and biased features, the profiles remain unrevised on the Web site. Unfortunately, the misinformation in these features has been quoted and repeated as fact in English language newspapers across the world. For BBC to post such blatantly biased profiles is a violation of its own ethical code of impartiality, accuracy and fairness.