The BBC has officially canceled the planned broadcast of the documentary Gaza: Medics Under Fire, initially slated for February but repeatedly delayed, confirming in a statement that the film will not be shown.
The British public broadcaster said the documentary was commissioned over a year ago, but was postponed in April, citing an ongoing review of another Gaza-related film, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone. The film sparked controversy after it was revealed that one of its featured characters is the son of a senior Hamas official.
According to the BBC, efforts were made to find a way to present the film: “For some weeks, the BBC has been working with Basement Films to find a way to tell the stories of these doctors on our platforms,” the statement read.
“Yesterday (Thursday), we have come to the conclusion that broadcasting this material risked creating a perception of partiality that would not meet the high standards that the public rightly expect of the BBC. Impartiality is a core principle of BBC News. It is one of the reasons that we are the world’s most trusted broadcaster.”
“We want to thank the doctors and contributors,” the statement continued. “We are sorry we could not tell their stories. The BBC will continue to cover events in Gaza impartially.”
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The decision comes amid growing public pressure. Just over a month ago, more than 600 individuals—including prominent figures from the entertainment and media industries—signed an open letter calling on the BBC to air Gaza: Medics Under Fire. Among the signatories were Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, director Mike Leigh and senior Channel 4 editor Lindsey Hilsum.
“This is not editorial caution. It’s political suppression,” the letter read. “No news organisation should quietly decide behind closed doors whose stories are worth telling.” The letter also quoted production company Basement Films, which expressed frustration over the lack of a confirmed broadcast date: “This important film should be seen by the public, and its contributors’ bravery honoured."
In its own statement, Basement Films said the documentary had undergone a rigorous fact-checking process. “Although the BBC is now removing its name from the film, it remains in their hands,” the company said.
“We hope this will spark a broader conversation about how the national broadcaster covers events in Gaza—and that people will feel free to speak out rather than stay silent or walk away. At some point, the BBC must show the editorial leadership the public deserves.”