The BBC is currently in the midst of an uproar following reports of a pro-Palestinian bias and consequently a potential violation of their editorial standards. According to reports, six reporters from BBC News Arabic are being investigated by the BBC for allegedly expressing their support towards the Palestinians amid the continuing conflict in Gaza.

The firestorm began when the six reporters were alleged to have liked or published posts on social media that criticized the Israeli government while being supportive of Palestine. In reaction to this, the reporters were taken off-air and are now being investigated by the broadcaster.

The social media activity of the journalists was first reported by the Arabic-language department of the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Anal (CAMERA), a US-based non-governmental entity campaigning for “balanced and accurate” coverage of Israel. The entity accused the posts of showing an anti-Israel bias.

The BBC has stated, “We are urgently investigating this matter. We take allegations of breaches of our editorial and social media guidelines with the utmost seriousness, and if and when we find breaches, we will act, including taking disciplinary action”.

Yet, amidst the ongoing saga, a division of opinion has ensued post the issuance of the BBC’s latest editorial policy that proposes that Israel should be referred to as a “militant group” rather than a “terrorist organization”.

Meanwhile, demonstrating another perspective, protest group Palestine Action, which claimed responsibility for hurling paint at the BBC’s headquarters on Saturday, has criticized the BBC’s coverage of the Gaza-Israel conflict for being heavily anti-Palestinian.