The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
[Main archive index/search] [List information] [Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq Homepage]
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." -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk Full details of CASI's various lists can be found on the CASI website: http://www.casi.org.uk