Thread by @cfmmuk

1//9 A thread on @BBCNews coverage of the murder of Al Jazeera journalist #AnasAlSharif & colleagues 🧵👇

Bulletins often opened with “#Israel says”. @cfmmuk found since his killing, “Israel says/claims” appeared 54 times in BBC TV & radio bulletins.

2/9 This isn’t just word choice. “#Israel says” puts an unverified claim — that #AnasAlSharif was a Hamas operative — first, before facts.

Context that he once worked in #Hamas-run media is added, but near Israel’s claim it risks implying past links justify killing him.

3/9 This @BBCNews par opens with “Israel says…”, leading with an unverified claim before facts, condemnations & legal context. Even with “little evidence” later, the first frame sets the tone—tilting the story toward the military narrative.

4/9 The @cfmmuk tracked the repetition: “Israel says”/“Israel claims” was in almost every bulletin mentioning #anasalsharif since his killing. Repetition cements the #IDF narrative in public memory.

5/9 The @BBCNews amplifies #Israeli claims about #AnasAlSharif’s past “Hamas links” but also says there’s little evidence & he’d criticised #Hamas.

Presenting unverified claims alongside facts without weighting risks blurring truth—especially in cases of killed #Journalists.

6/9 The @BBCNews relays #Israeli claims that #AnasAlSharif had a “dual role” as journalist & on a “terror list” without verification.

Such framing risks legitimising unproven allegations against a killed journalist & undermines reporting standards in conflict coverage.

7/9 The @cfmmuk @BBCNews #Gaza study found Israeli deaths got 33× more coverage per victim, & Israeli views voiced 2× as often. The “Israel says…” lead fits a pattern of foregrounding #Israeli narratives while muting #Palestinian voices & legal context.

cfmm.org.uk/bbc-on-gaza-is…

8/9 The @cfmmuk #Gaza Media Bias report found “#Israel says” made up 73% of mentions in coverage.

This imbalance raises serious questions on balance & risks skewing public understanding by letting one side’s narrative dominate.

cfmm.org.uk/cfmm-report-me…

9/9 Ethical reporting leads with facts, then context—not unverified claims. @Reuters says powerful actors may merit less space & warns against presenting allegations as fact. @BBCNews’ airing of Israeli claims on #AnasAlSharif fell short on both accounts

reutersagency.com/about/standard…