The last National Demonstration for Palestine, commemorating 77 years of ongoing Nakba, more than half a million people marched on the streets of London. However, mainstream media gravely misrepresented this historic moment, speaking of ‘thousands’ or ‘tens of thousands’ rather than ‘hundreds of thousands’. This is why, on the 23rd of May, we as the Norfolk branch of PSC submitted a formal complaint to OFCOM – the National Office for Communications. The complaint reads as follows and we have yet to receive a response:
We are writing to OFCOM in this manner to avoid the algorithmic labyrinth which comprises your formal complaints form. The tragedy unfolding in Gaza is an intense human tragedy, one which cannot be denied, one which has historical consequences for all involved, and which therefore requires direct communication between all of us.
We need not remind you of your legal duties to ensure that the standards of “due impartiality” and “due accuracy” are met by the non-print media. This was definitely not the case in the reporting of the numbers marching in London in support of the Palestinians on Saturday the 17th of May. The media variously quoted the police figure of 20,000 or gave the numbers as amounting to thousands (BBC TV and ITV) or tens of thousands (SKY).
The actual verifiable turnout based on photographic evidence was at least 500,000. The Independent online later modified their earlier report to include this figure. They were the exception. The under-reporting or misreporting differed by at least a factor of ten. In other words, the Metropolitan Police counted only 4 in every 100 while the rest counted less than 10 in every 100.
An error of this magnitude goes beyond the lack of due diligence. It speaks to bias, to an orchestrated campaign to minimise the level of active opposition to Israel’s actions and ambitions in Gaza and the West Bank. Our complaint is not in isolation and falls under the context of numerous court cases being heard in the UK regarding the UK government’s breaches of its own laws and codes both at home and at The Hague.
Therefore, we must conclude not only bias but collusion in support of the British and Israeli governments. You are instructed under the terms and obligations of your legal mandate to investigate this bias and inaccuracy, not to mention, in the name of humanity.
We demand, and will only be satisfied by, a thorough and full investigation by your Office. Given that the majority of Britain, according to every poll, disapprove of the conduct of the Israeli Government and their backers in Gaza and given the likelihood that these events amount to a Genocide under the Convention, you need to proceed with the utmost caution and seriousness.
We will of course be happy to participate in any investigation and provide supporting evidence.
We look forward to the results of your comprehensive investigation.
For and on behalf of The Committee,
Norfolk Palestine Solidarity Campaign
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