The current crisis engulfing the BBC could have been avoided. For BBC News, the goal was easily definable: to report the truth fairly, impartially and with integrity.
It is no coincidence that the situation the BBC finds itself in today follows the erosion of the values upon which the BBC was founded – Biblical values. These principles set the vision and the guiding principles for the corporation. Importantly, they also set the boundaries which would serve as a standard for the BBC.
A large Latin inscription of the BBC’s values statement was placed above the central archway in the entrance lobby (pictured), when the BBC’s broadcasting house in central London was opened in 1932. It remains in place today, surviving the 2010 renovation.
It reads:
“This Temple of the Arts and Muses is dedicated to Almighty God by the first Governors of Broadcasting in the year 1931, Sir John Reith being Director-General. It is their prayer that good seed sown may bring forth a good harvest, that all things hostile to peace or purity may be banished from this house, and that the people, inclining their ear to whatsoever things are beautiful and honest and of good report, may tread the path of wisdom and uprightness”
This wording demonstrates the strong sense of Judeo-Christian values held by the founders and a belief that the corporation should be a force for good, for uprightness and honesty. Notice that this statement includes prayer for a harvest. It wasn’t an ordinary business mission statement – it was an act of faith.
It is said Sir John Reith approved of the sentiment, but wasn’t sure if the BBC could live up to it. Sadly, he was right. The BBC has failed in its standards of reporting honestly and accurately regarding Israel. The BBC operates under a contract with the British government and is bound by a Royal charter, together requiring accurate and impartial news and analysis of current events and ideas. It is funded by the British public through licence-fees; therefore, it affects us all.
No higher authority
Notice the phrase, “dedicated to Almighty God”. If this conviction is to be applied today, it does not mean the BBC must transform into 24/7 ‘Songs of Praise’ (although we wouldn’t mind). The BBC was established to “inform, educate and entertain”. Rather, it acknowledged that there is no higher authority than ‘Almighty God’. The removal of God from the institution’s values has resulted in the BBC placing itself as the highest authority. Unfortunately, this is the pattern for many institutions and nations that remove submission to God’s authority. In its own words, the BBC says “BBC News is respected both in the UK and around the world for the strength of its journalism and impartiality”. It is the largest broadcaster on the planet, with over 35,000 staff and boasting that on average 438 million people around the world came to the BBC each week. Some would say there is no higher news authority than the BBC – that would be idolatry.
Of good report
The removal of God from the BBC’s vision means that that the other objections set out in the inscription are impossible to fulfil. “Whatsoever things are beautiful and honest and of good report” is a reference to Philippians 4:3. the Greek word behind thee word ‘good report’ is εὔφημα (euphēma), meaning “well-sounding, praiseworthy, reputable.” Meanwhile “wisdom and uprightness” are empty without the Bible’s moral law. The Bible is the source of truth; the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The BBC currently falls short of this standard.
Banished from the house
If the BBC is to become a reliable and honest source of information on Israel, it must reform and get back to its vision. Furthermore, its bias against Israel must be “banished” from the “house”. This infers that the founders who set the inscription anticipated that the BBC would need to have accountability to maintain its convictions. The removal of the Bible, however, removes this accountability to Almighty God.
Writing in 2021, Colonel Kemp, former commander of the British Armed Forces, wrote, “More than any other media organization, the BBC is responsible for inciting hatred against Israel — not just in Britain but globally. Its agenda helps to ensure continued aggression against the Jewish State; fuels violence by Hamas and other terrorist groups; feeds the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement; encourages distorted condemnation of Israel by human rights groups and international bodies; and provides material to be exploited by activist university professors and students.
“All of this not only seriously harms the reputation of the State of Israel and stimulates antisemitism around the world, it also worsens the suffering of Palestinians by uncritical coverage of the leadership that is responsible for their plight.”
These words couldn’t be more relevant for today. We pray that the BBC will banish its anti-Israel bias from the house and return to its duty in presenting the truth.
