ByMATHILDA HELLER

The BBC censured its own staff members on Thursday for calling Hamas a "terror group" contrary to the BBC's editorial guidelines.

During a 15 June 2025 news broadcast, a presenter referred to Hamas as "the terror group," leading to complaints from viewers.

Ok Thursday, the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit decided that the use of the phrase breached its editorial standards and reported the presenter to management.

BBC's Editorial Guidelines say term 'terrorist' should only be used with attribution

"For reasons connected with due accuracy and impartiality, the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines say, “The term ‘terrorist’ should only be used with attribution, ie, when quoting or citing its use by others."

BBC New Broadcasting House in London.
BBC New Broadcasting House in London. (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

"As the ECU saw no material difference in this context between “terror group” and “terrorist group,” it found the use of the phrase complained of was a breach of the BBC’s editorial standards."

This is a developing story.