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Ofcom announce investigation into the BBC over Chanukah bus reporting statement

Ofcom said that it raises issues under due accuracy rules

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Media regulator Ofcom have said that they're launching an investigation into the BBC after the corporation released a statement partially apologising for their coverage of the Oxford street Chanukah bus attack.

In an exclusive statement to the JC, Ofcom said: "We have reviewed the BBC's final response to complaints about this news programme. We consider it raises issues under our due accuracy rules and have launched an investigation."

Earlier today, the BBC issued a qualified apology for their reporting of the incident saying: "We apologise for not doing more to highlight that these details were contested - we should have reflected this and acted sooner."

They also said: “Following the ECU’s ruling, we have amended the story posted on the BBC News website on 2 December 2021 and issued a clarification in relation to a news report aired on BBC London on the same day.

However, the apology was only partial and the BBC's complaints unit found:" "no evidence to support any claims of victim-blaming in our reporting."

The Community Security Trust reacted furiously to the BBC’s statement accusing the corporation of misrepresenting its position. In the complaint resolution posted on its website, the BBC claimed that the CST had verified that an anti-Muslim slur could be heard in the recording. 

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said: "We welcome Ofcom's reaction to the ECU's pitiful report by announcing its own investigation, which will hopefully deliver the justice to the Jewish community that the BBC has once more denied."

Read more:

BBC issues qualified apology over Chanukah bus attack reporting

CST condemns "appalling" BBC over Chanukah bus reporting statement

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