Gaza documentary blocked by BBC wins BAFTA award

• Gaza: Doctors Under Attack wins BAFTA TV award for best current affairs programme.
• The film, originally commissioned by the BBC, was later dropped over “impartiality concerns” and aired by Channel 4.

A documentary examining attacks on health workers in Gaza during the war on the Palestinian territory has won the BAFTA TV award for best current affairs programme.

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack focuses on the impact of ‘Israel’s’ attacks on medical staff and healthcare infrastructure during its war on Gaza.

The film was commissioned by the BBC but was not broadcast by the network, which cited “impartiality concerns” regarding its production.

After being dropped by the BBC, the documentary was later aired by Channel 4, which proceeded to broadcast the film in full.

During her acceptance speech, director Ramita Navai criticised the BBC’s decision and praised Channel 4 for airing the documentary.

“We refused to be silenced and censored. And we thank Channel 4 for showing this film,” she said.

The award was presented at the BAFTA Television Awards, organised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Executive producer Ben de Pear also questioned the BBC’s decision during the event, suggesting the broadcaster’s stance was inconsistent given its later involvement in the awards ceremony.

“Just a question for the BBC, given that you dropped our film, will you drop us from the BAFTA TV screening later on tonight?” he said.

The BBC, a public service broadcaster, has not publicly responded in detail to the remarks made during the ceremony.