BBC report was fair

VThis newspaper has covered at length the criticism of the BBC’s coverage of the Chanukah bus incident on Oxford Street. We have been cautious in our response because of the ongoing police investigation but we want to address the accusation the BBC has acted unfairly.

Our story was a factual report that overwhelmingly focused on the individuals the police want to identify. In the eighth paragraph of the article, there was a brief reference to a slur, captured in a video recording, that appeared to come from the bus.

The slur was expressed in English and can be heard in the recording. Our report reflected this.

It has been claimed what we considered to be an abusive term in English was in fact someone speaking in Hebrew. We have consulted a number of Hebrew speakers in determining that the slur was spoken in English.

The brief reference to the slur was included to ensure the fullest account of the incident was reported. The idea it was included to ‘balance’ our coverage is simply untrue. Nor was it included to diminish the trauma suffered by those on the bus or justify the actions of those shouting abuse.

Finally, our subsequent reporting of ‘allegations of anti-Semitic abuse’ reflects the fact that the events are now part of a live police investigation.

Antisemitism is abhorrent. We understand this was an upsetting incident and people want to stand up for their communities. But our intentions have been misrepresented. We strive to serve the Jewish community, and all communities across our country, fairly.

Rhodri Talfan Davies,

BBC Nations Director