Former BBC Journalist Mohamed Shalaby Resigns Over Gaza Coverage and Anas Al-Sharif Reporting

September 17, 2025 – Palestine/United Kingdom – 

Mohamed Shalaby, a former BBC journalist, has revealed that he resigned from the broadcaster following disputes over how the BBC reported on the death of Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharif. His decision came after a BBC story described Al-Sharif as having worked for a Hamas media team, a claim Shalaby insists was unverified and violated the BBC’s editorial standards.

Shalaby explained that when he raised questions about the accuracy of this reporting, his concerns were dismissed internally. He says he repeatedly asked for proof and pointed out that Al-Sharif had publicly distanced himself from Hamas. Instead of addressing these concerns, Shalaby alleges that he faced warnings of professional repercussions, including being “blacklisted” within the industry. His staff ID was suspended and his BBC accounts were locked, which he believes was retaliation for speaking up. As a result, he did not attend his last scheduled day at the BBC, citing the toxic environment surrounding his departure.

The controversy centers on Anas Al-Sharif, an Al Jazeera journalist killed in an Israeli airstrike on 10 August 2025 in Gaza. The strike also claimed the lives of several of his colleagues. Following his death, the Israeli military alleged links between Al-Sharif and Hamas, but Al Jazeera and multiple press freedom organizations rejected these claims, stressing that no credible evidence had been presented.

Shalaby’s resignation highlights broader questions about how global media institutions handle sensitive coverage of journalists killed in conflict zones. Critics argue that repeating unverified allegations not only undermines journalistic integrity but also risks tarnishing the legacies of those who lost their lives documenting war.

The case raises pressing concerns over editorial independence, internal accountability, and the treatment of journalists who challenge their own institutions. For Shalaby, the issue was not only about accuracy but also about the duty of journalists to defend colleagues targeted by propaganda and misinformation. His departure underscores the struggle within major media outlets to balance political narratives with the principles of truth and fairness.

References –

https://deadline.com/2025/09/bbc-mohamed-shalaby-gaza-concerns-anas-al-sharif-1236544335/