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Repeated factual errors in BBC Iraq reporting



Hi all,
I've developed a personal bug-bear about BBC on-line's repeated references
to how Iraq "expelled" weapons inspectors in December 1998. I've written
now to two of their Middle East correspondents, their errors units and
their complaints unit. Nevertheless, they keep making the same mistake -
at least 4 times in the space of 24 hours (see below). 

If there isn't a full retraction soon, I'm going to take this to the
Programme Complaints Unit of the BBC Board of Governors. You may want to
do the same (see- <http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/bbc/complaints.shtml>).

I know this is a relatively minor issue compared to the whole array of
other topics on Iraq to protest about. But if you do find the BBC making
this same error through other media (especially radio and television),
would you mind dropping me a note? Just to let me know time and medium of
the mistake, who said what, &c. Thanks very much.

Best
Glen.

------
The errors:

1. Sunday, 18 February, 2001, 05:51 GMT 
                Western allies split on Iraq attack
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1176000/1176780.stm
"Saddam Hussein expelled UN weapons inspectors in 1998 and has not allowed
them back."

2. Saturday, 17 February, 2001, 21:52 GMT 
                No-fly zones over Iraq
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1175000/1175950.stm
"But since 1998, when Iraq expelled United Nations inspectors whose job it
was to ensure the elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction,..."
Also: "Since the expulsion of the weapons inspectors,..."

3. Saturday, 17 February, 2001, 16:51 GMT
                Iraq threatened with more strikes
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1175000/1175874.stm>
"Saddam Hussein expelled UN weapons inspectors in 1998 and has not allowed
them back."

4. Saturday, 17 February, 2001, 09:14 GMT
                Iraq defiant over missile attack 
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1175000/1175206.stm>
"Saddam Hussein expelled UN weapons inspectors in 1998 and has not allowed
them back."

The same mistake was made by BBC newsnight reporter Mark Urban, in the
programme entitled: "Ten years on Saddam still in power", at:
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/events/newsnight/newsid_1126000/1126497.stm>

------
When it was reported (largely) accurately by the BBC:
"UN weapons inspectors leave Iraq" (16 December 1998)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_235000/235900.stm#top

"Timeline of the Iraqi crisis" of 21 December 1998, at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/events/crisis_in_the_gulf/road_to_the_brink/newsid_216000/216264.stm:
 
"December 16, 1998: The UN orders weapons inspectors out of Iraq hours
after the chief UN weapons inspector, Richard Butler, issued a report
complaining that the Iraqis were still failing to co-operate."

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