The BBC respond

Further to this post and this one I have received a response from the BBC:

'bbc_complaints_website@bbc.co.uk
Dear Audience Member

Reference CAS-1346220-6F6HYP

Thanks for contacting us regarding Radio 4’s ‘Today’ on 12 March.

I understand you felt Dr Mona El-Farra should have been challenged on his assertion that there were no rocket attacks from Gaza prior to a recent attack on Gaza by Israel.

The Corporation is committed to due impartiality in respect of all its news reports and we are careful that this is maintained. The BBC is satisfied its coverage of events in Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been balanced, fair and accurate.

While it’s not practical to challenge every comment or assertion an interviewer makes, across our programming we’ve tried to explain how the current situation started, and has since developed, and given air-time to representatives from across the political spectrum. Indeed, discussing these events alongside Dr Mona El-Farra was Dr Aryeh Kontrovich who lives in Southern Israel.

Part of our role as an impartial observer is to report a wide range of views on a particular topic. The BBC makes no editorial comment or judgement on the views expressed by contributors to our programmes, and our aim is simply to provide enough information for listeners to be informed of other’s views, thus adding context, to make up their own minds.

We understand there is always room for debate about particular judgements when interviewing, but the principles are pretty clear and account also needs to be taken of the way a subject is covered over a period of time, across our output.

Nevertheless, I'd like to assure you that we've registered your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback we compile daily for the programme makers and senior management within the BBC. The audience logs are important documents that can help shape future decisions and they ensure that your points, and all other comments we receive, are made available to BBC staff across the Corporation.

Thanks again for contacting us.

Kind Regards

Stuart Webb
BBC Complaints
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

NB This is sent from an outgoing account only which is not monitored. You cannot reply to this email address but if necessary please contact us via our webform quoting any case number we provided.'

Do I have the energy to reply to this fob-off response?  Of course! But tomorrow...