BBC Union Reps Urge Journalists to Skip Their Own Vigil for Killed Palestinian Colleagues

September 04, 2025 – Palestine/UK –

When journalists across the globe rallied in solidarity to demand an end to attacks on media workers in Gaza, a London branch of their own union sparked internal controversy by discouraging participation. Emails reviewed by Novara Media reveal that union representatives within the BBC’s branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) warned BBC staff against attending an NUJ-organised vigil for Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023. The message, citing BBC impartiality rules, instructed staff to refrain from involvement—even though the vigil was arranged by their own union.

The event, held opposite Downing Street, was hosted by the London Freelance Branch of the NUJ, which represents over 3,000 members. Attendees included former presenter Sangita Myska, and union members presented a letter to the prime minister urging support for an ICC investigation into the targeting of journalists in Palestine—a campaign already backed by law firms and rights groups following earlier ICC submissions.

BBC reps justified their stance by referencing internal editorial guidelines: staff—particularly those in news and current affairs—must avoid participation in public events tied to controversial or political issues unless under the official banner of the BBC group.

The directive sparked deep frustration among staff. A BBC journalist criticized the move as emblematic of the union’s passive response to Gaza-related photojournalists’ deaths, calling it “spineless.” They argued that showing solidarity with murdered colleagues isn’t political activism, “but built on the very foundations of journalism—truth, transparency, and accountability.”

This internal tension reflects broader unease within the NUJ over its handling of Gaza coverage. Discussions at recent union conferences exposed sharp divisions, including concerns over editorial bias and clashes over motions calling for stronger collective action.

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BBC Union Reps Warned Staff Against Attending the Union’s Own Vigil for Palestinian Journalists