Panorama documentary breached guidelines but journalism commended

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A Panorama documentary which investigated the boarding of the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara ship last year by Israeli commandos breached the BBC's editorial guidelines on impartiality and accuracy in three cases, the BBC Trust said today. According to the findings of the Editorial Standards Committee the appeal from 19 complainants in relation to the programme Death in the Med , raised 51 points of issue, three of which were upheld, two in relation to accuracy and one to impartiality.

However, the remaining 48 points were not upheld and the Editorial Standards Committee concluded that in tackling a "highly divisive subject" the programme did achieve due impartiality and due accuracy overall.

"The committee regrets any breaches of the Editorial Guidelines and apologises for them on behalf of the BBC.

"Whilst it expects the BBC to consider seriously any lessons to be learnt in respect of its findings, the committee wishes to make it clear that it commends the BBC for having tackled this most controversial of issues."

The committee's report adds the programme was "an original, illuminating and well-researched piece of journalism".

"The committee remarked it is unlikely that a current affairs programme such as this, covering such a contentious issue, would be found to be entirely flawless if it were subjected to the level of deconstruction and analysis that Death in the Med has undergone.

"However, the BBC is committed to the highest journalistic standards, and programme-makers must be prepared to face the most rigorous scrutiny when covering such contentious issues."

The three upheld matters include the use of language in relation to the evacuation of the badly wounded, found to breach impartiality guidelines and the failure of the programme to be clear and precise in its presentation of the full extent of the aid on board the flotilla, which led to a breach in editorial guidelines on accuracy.

According to today's report there were more than 2,000 audience contacts made following the programme. Out of those which expressed a view around 28 per cent were found to be positive and 72 per cent negative.

Following an investigation by the Editorial Complaints Unit, which did not uphold any of the points raised by any of the complainants, the BBC Trust received 30 appeals against the decision.

The committee said it consolidated and considered together all appeals received before 5pm on 10 December last year, which totalled 19.

In a statement BBC News said it welcomes the findings of the Trust.

"We are pleased that the Trust found that the film achieved "due impartiality and due accuracy" and did not uphold the complaint overall. We also welcome the Trust's conclusion that the film was "an original, illuminating and well-researched piece of journalism" and that "Panorama performed a valuable public service".

"We note that the Trust upheld three out of the 51 points of complaint and we will consider seriously any lessons to be learned."