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The High Court in London has begun hearing the opening stage of a libel case brought by BBC News online Middle East editor Raffi Berg against journalist and commentator Owen Jones, following claims made in an article about the BBC’s coverage of the Gaza conflict.
The dispute stems from a December 2024 investigation written by Jones for the outlet Drop Site News, titled “The BBC’s Civil War Over Gaza.” In the article, Jones cited anonymous testimony from BBC staff members who alleged that Berg played a key role in shaping coverage of the Israel-Gaza war in ways that favored the Israeli perspective.
Berg filed a libel claim in the High Court in November 2025, arguing that the allegations severely damaged his professional reputation and led to harassment and threats. He is seeking damages, the removal of the article from publication, and a court order preventing its republication.
During preliminary hearings in early March 2026, Berg’s legal team argued that Jones’ article portrayed the BBC editor as a “rogue journalist” and implied that he was acting as an “Israeli stooge.” According to Berg’s lawyers, the piece suggested that he manipulated BBC coverage to advance Israeli government narratives, allegations they say attack his integrity as a journalist.
Jones is contesting the claim and has stated he intends to defend the reporting vigorously. His article relied on statements from current and former BBC journalists who criticized editorial decisions related to coverage of the Gaza war, arguing that internal disagreements existed within the broadcaster over how the conflict was being reported.
At the hearing, the court was asked to determine several preliminary legal issues, including whether the article carries a defamatory meaning and whether its statements should be interpreted as factual assertions or protected expressions of opinion. These determinations will shape how the case proceeds if it moves to a full trial.
The case comes amid broader debate over media coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict and allegations of editorial bias within major international news organizations. The BBC has repeatedly defended the impartiality of its reporting while acknowledging that coverage of the conflict remains highly contested.
Legal proceedings in the libel dispute are ongoing, and the court’s decisions in the early stages will determine whether the case proceeds to a full trial to examine the evidence behind the allegations.
Reference –
http://uaenewsapp.com/2/Article/2040/251952937
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/high-court-hears-claim-owen-jones-cast-bbc-editor-as-israeli-stooge/
