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Protesters condemn biased BBC documentary
Paddy McGuffin
DATELINE: 23/8/10
Pro-Palestinian campaigners have carried out a series of protests against the BBC this weekend over its recent coverage of the Gaza Flotilla massacre. On Sunday afternoon campaigners demonstrated outside BBC studios in Newcastle-upon-Tyne to criticise the Panorama documentary Death On The Med. The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and the Palestine Action Group were among the organisations taking part in the weekend protests.
The two groups argue that the documentary was biased in favour of Israel, whose troops killed nine Turkish peace activists after storming the Mavi Marmara in May. They accuse the BBC of "aligning itself with the Zionist state of Israel" and propagandising on its behalf.
On Saturday activists converged on BBC studios in London, Bristol and Manchester where vocal protesters waved flags and leafleted passers-by. The Bristol group also staged a "street-theatre" re-enactment of the deaths of the nine Turkish aid workers from the flotilla.
A spokesperson for the Bristol protesters said: "We condemn the BBC for their blatant bias in this Panorama program. They are trying to sway public opinion regarding the brutal attack on the Gaza aid flotilla ahead of the UN report expected in September.
"Fifty or more people were injured on the Mavi Marmara and a further nine killed. Many suffered multiple gunshot wounds - some through the back of the head. This was carnage. We won't let the BBC get away with a cover-up."
When Death On The Med was screened last week the corporation received over 100 complaints over alleged inaccuracies and the use of "fake footage."
The BBC rejected the criticism, saying the programme was "balanced and impartial."
Last modified: Monday, August 23, 2010
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Previous stories
International
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