![Funeral ceremony held for Palestinian journalists Ismail al-Ghul and Rami al-Rifi, who lost their lives in the Israeli attack while broadcasting from the rubble of the home of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City, Gaza on July 31, 2024 [Dawoud Abo Alkas - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AA-20240731-35284440-35284421-FUNERAL_CEREMONY_FOR_THE_PALESTINIAN_JOURNALISTS_WHO_LOST_THEIR_LIVES_IN_THE_ISRAELI_ATTACK_IN.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Royal Television Society (RTS) is facing criticism for its last-minute decision to cancel a special recognition award intended for journalists in Gaza at its TV Journalism Awards.
According to news site Deadline, an internal email revealed that the RTS scrapped the award to avoid “adding fuel to the fire” following controversy surrounding the BBC documentary Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone. The BBC recently removed the film from its iPlayer streaming service following pressure from supporters of Israel.
Adrian Wells, chair of the RTS Television Journalism Awards, explained that the award was originally meant to honour Palestinian journalists in Gaza for their work under extreme conditions. However, he stated that the RTS ultimately decided not to present it, fearing it had become a “political football” and that proceeding would “add fuel to the fire.”
In a statement, an RTS spokesperson said: “Investigations have recently been launched into a number of news reports from Gaza and, as those reviews are ongoing, we didn’t feel it was appropriate to proceed with the award this year.”
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The decision has sparked backlash, with one senior news executive calling it “spineless”. Ben de Pear, former editor of Channel 4 News and founder of Basement Films, criticised the RTS on X, arguing that the award was revoked due to editorial controversies in the UK rather than any failure by Gazan journalists.
“The decision was taken because of failures/omissions in the telling of a story in the UK; not because of Gazans’ failures. They were punished and excluded in a last minute and unaccountable process without referral or participation of the RTS Journalism members/juries or chairs,” De Pear wrote.
De Pear highlighting the irony of an event that celebrates journalistic bravery while withdrawing recognition from those reporting on one of the world’s most dangerous conflicts.
He added: “Presenters & winners repeatedly cited the battle for truth we are in across world, the importance of television journalism & the bravery of those targeted for it & then the very organisation which presides over the recognition of all of this cancels the very award recognising it.”
Meanwhile, ITV News was the night’s biggest winner, taking home eight awards, including Camera Person of the Year, Emerging Young Talent of the Year, and News Coverage – International for its investigation into the war in the Middle East.
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