BBC under fire over treatment of missing Saudi journalist
THE BBC faced criticism yesterday for releasing off-air comments made byjamal Khashoggi, the Saudi Arabian journalist, in a radio interview three days before he disappeared in Turkey.
BBC Newshour made public a recording of the journalist speaking informally to presenters before the show went live, when he said: “I don’t think I will be able to go home [to Saudi Arabia] because of the fear of arrest.”
The BBC posted on Twitter: “We wouldn’t normally release this conversation but we’ve decided to make an exception in light of the circumstances.”
Mr Khashoggi, who has been critical of Saudi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has not been heard from or seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday. Turkish officials have said they believe he was murdered inside the diplomatic mission and his body spirited away, claims which the kingdom has denied.
The BBC’S decision was widely criticised on social media by people who said the broadcaster should not have aired the off-the-record comments which could further endanger him if he is still alive.
“I find this unacceptable, and it makes me think twice about any conversations I’ll have off-air with any medium,” said Dr H A Hellyer, senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, who has previously been interviewed by the station.
“If I am detained – and I have been – the last thing I want is someone recklessly releasing off-the-record conversations I’ve done about my captors.”
A BBC spokesman said: “We took great care in deciding to broadcast Mr Khashoggi’s words and considered the implications carefully.
“In light of the circumstances, his view that the deteriorating environment for free speech in Saudi Arabia meant he could not return to live there, is important and relevant information.
“We do not believe this broadcast could endanger him further, especially considering his long-standing criticism of the Saudi authorities.”
After more than a week of silence, the UK government yesterday urged Saudi Arabia to provide “urgent answers” on the 59-year-old’s fate.
Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, said he had raised the issue with Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud in London.
“Just met the Saudi ambassador to seek urgent answers over Jamal Khashoggi,” Mr Hunt said on Twitter.
“If media reports prove correct, we will treat the incident seriously – friendships depend on shared values.”
Turkish officials have privately alleged that Mr Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by a team of Saudis who flew into Istanbul on chartered jets.
Saudi Arabia has vehemently denied the charge and insists that Mr Khashoggi left the consulate.
Turkey said yesterday that the Saudi government had agreed to allow Turkish investigators into the consulate to search for forensic clues that could help determine what happened.