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BBC’s John Simpson Defends Broadcaster’s Selective Language Around Hamas

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The BBC’s John Simpson released a robust defence of his employer yesterday after the broadcaster was heavily criticised for not using the word “terrorist” to describe Hamas fighters.

The Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, in what has been condemned as the deadliest day in the state’s history.

Israel subsequently declared war on Hamas, calling them “human animals” while announcing a complete siege of the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

More than a thousand people in total are said to have been killed by the brutal conflict so far.

While covering the war, the BBC has refrained from using the word “terrorist”, instead usually referring to them as “militants”.

This has prompted intense criticism from former employees and senior politicians – especially as Hamas was denounced as a terrorist group by the UK government back in 2021.

On Tuesday evening, Simpson – the BBC’s world affairs editor – jumped to the broadcaster’s defence.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “British politicians know perfectly well why the BBC avoids the word ‘terrorist’ and over the years plenty of them have privately agreed with it.

“Calling someone a terrorist means you’re taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality.

“The BBC’s job is place the facts before its audience and let them decide what they think, honestly and without ranting.

“That’s why, in Britain and throughout the world, nearly half a billion people watch, listen to and read us. There’s always someone who would like us to rant. Sorry, it’s not what we do.”

About half an hour later, Simpson followed up with another post, which read: “In September 1939, when Britain’s very survival was at stake, the BBC issued rules to its staff how to broadcast about the coming war.

“You must be frank and honest, it said — and above all there must be no room for ranting. Wise words, entirely applicable today.”

Simpson’s remarks came after the BBC’s former North America editor Jon Sopel criticised his ex-employer, saying that its current editorial guidelines were “no longer fit for purpose”.

The BBC’s editorial guidelines read: “We should not use the term ‘terrorist’ without attribution.

“We should convey to our audience the full consequences of the act by describing what happened.”

It suggests journalists use words which specifically describe the perpetrator, such as “bomber”, “attacker” or “gunman” instead.

It concluded: “We should not adopt other people’s language as our own; own responsibility is to remain objective and report in ways that enable our audiences to make their own assessments about who is doing what to whom.”

On Wednesday morning, the defence secretary Grant Shapps also weighed into the debate.

He said it was not the right time for the bradocaster to get “the moral compass out”, saying it was “disgraceful” for the BBC to dodge the word “terrorists”.

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The First Reviews Of The Rolling Stones’ New Album Will Be Music To Every Fan’s Ears

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Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Miss You and Honky Tonk Woman are just some of the hits that spring to mind when you think of The Rolling Stones.

And now, the rockers are back with a new record… and it’s receiving glowing reviews across the board.

Titled Hackney Diamonds, the album comes 18 years after their last – A Bigger Bang (which, let’s face it, wasn’t their greatest attempt to smash the charts) – and is also their first release since the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021.

The album also features a supporting cast of famous faces, including Elton John, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga.

So, ahead of Hackney Diamonds’ official release on Friday, here’s what critics are already saying about the Stones’ latest effort…

Ronnie Wood, Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Ronnie Wood, Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

Dave Benett via Getty Images

“‘Let the old still believe that they’re young,’ Mick Jagger cries in a definitive Rolling Stones ethos that is delivered towards the end of Hackney Diamonds… And with that attitude, there’s no reason to believe it’ll be their last.

“In truth, the median age of its roll call belies the sheer vitality of the thing. [Keith] Richards and Ronnie Wood rip through gritty glam and blues rock riffs like guitarists half of half their ages, and rather than mutter reflective wisdom gleaned from a rock’n’roll life mid-winddown – a la Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan – [Mick] Jagger bawls and yowls about blurry nights, media intrusion and relationship ructions like an eternal A-list twentysomething.”

“The Stones have retained the essence of a bluesy bar band ever since, and therein lies their charm. They have never taken themselves too seriously. They have never tried to save the world. They’re simply here to show us a good time.

“Hackney Diamonds is a joy from beginning to end because it reminds us of the things we love about the Stones while still sounding like it belongs to the modern age.”

“A collection of bangers (old-school division) that nobody in their right mind had a right to expect in 2023, Hackney Diamonds isn’t just another new Stones album, but a vibrant and cohesive record — the first Stones album in ages you’ll want to crank more than once before filing away.

“Whether it’s a first-time Stones producer (Andrew Watt), bits of technological wizardry, or simply a desire to remind us why we cared about them in the first place, they haven’t sounded this brisk and focused in what feels like a half century.”

“It might reasonably be argued, Hackney Diamonds must be the best rock’n’roll album for 40 years, at least. Its dozen songs are jam-packed with Jagger swagger, Richards’ riffology, Woods’ twisty licks and aching Glimmer twins harmonies, bound together by tight rhythms, catchy melodies, snappy lyrics, dirty energy and flashes of the band’s trademark hair-raising flair…

“Hackney Diamonds is so full of life, so shot through with love and energy, only a fool would bet against them doing it again. The Stones roll on. All is indeed well in the rock’n’roll world.”

“The band finish with a nod to their roots in the blues by covering Muddy Waters’ Rolling Stone Blues. When Jagger and Richards first met as teenagers at Dartford railway station in 1961, Mick had a prized Muddy Waters LP in his hands, bonding with Keith over their shared musical tastes. Sixty-two years on, this affectionate cover brings the pair full circle, cementing a studio comeback that rolls back the years with astonishing aplomb.”

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