Action Alert – Robin Simcox’s Villification of Pro-Palestinian Protestors and BDS Supporters
Friday October 20 2023
Yesterday, Robin Simcox, a highly controversial figure notorious for his affiliation with the Islamophobic Henry Jackson Society and for being a prominent propagator of controversial counter-terrorism measures against British Muslims’ appeared on BBC Radio 4, villifying people marching in support of Palestine and supporting Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) as pro-Iranian agents, extremists, and antisemites. Shockingly, Mr. Simcox faced no challenge from host, Nick Robinson, over his inflammatory statements.
Mr. Simcox’s remarks are not only unacceptable but also demand immediate attention and condemnation. As such, we urge the community to take action and register complaints with the BBC concerning Mr. Simcox’s vilification of pro-Palestinian protestors and BDS supporters who are merely exercising their freedom of speech and opposing horrific war crimes being committed by Israel.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how you can complain to the BBC:
Step 1: Go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint
Step 2: ‘What is your complaint about?’ – Choose ‘Radio’. ‘Which radio station is your complaint about?’ – Choose ‘Radio 4’. ‘Are you contacting us about a previous complaint?’ – Choose ‘No’.
Step 3: ‘What is the programme title?’ – Enter ‘Today’. ‘When was it broadcast?’ – Enter ‘19/10/2023’. ‘How did you watch or listen to the programme?’ – Choose one relevant to you or leave it blank. ‘Roughly how far into the programme did the issue happen?’ – Enter ‘1 hour, 16 minutes’. ‘Select the best category to describe your complaint’ – Choose ‘Other’. ‘What is the subject of your complaint?’ – Enter ‘Bias, factual error and inaccuracy’. ‘Please enter your complaint, and please don’t add personal details such as your name, email or phone number in this field – we’ll ask you for those at the next stage’ – Enter the following:
‘Robin Simcox is a highly controversial figure notorious for his affiliation with the Islamophobic Henry Jackson Society and for being a prominent propagator of controversial counter-terrorism measures against British Muslims’. During his segment with Nick Robinson, Mr. Simcox’s anti-Palestinian bias became evident when he villified people marching in support of Palestinian human rights and supporting Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) by inaccurately labelling them as pro-Iranian agents, extremists, and antisemites. Shockingly, Mr. Simcox faced no challenge from host Nick Robinson over his inflammatory and factually inaccurate statements. The people attending pro-Palestinian marches and endorsing BDS are merely exercising their free speech and opposing the actions of Israel as a state, which is committing war crimes against the Palestinians. Mr. Simcox’s statements do nothing to ease the situation but rather have the potential to incite further prejudice and divisiveness amidst an already hostile time.’
‘Do you require a response to your complaint?’ – Select ‘Yes’.
Step 4: Enter your details and click ‘Continue’.
Step 5: Review and click ‘Submit’.
Should the BBC fail to take appropriate action, complaints should be escalated to Ofcom.
“‘Robin Simcox is a highly controversial figure notorious for his affiliation with the Islamophobic Henry Jackson Society and for being a prominent propagator of controversial counter-terrorism measures against British Muslims’. During his segment with Nick Robinson, Mr. Simcox’s anti-Palestinian bias became evident when he villified people marching in support of Palestinian human rights and supporting Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) by inaccurately labelling them as pro-Iranian agents, extremists, and antisemites. Shockingly, Mr. Simcox faced no challenge from host Nick Robinson over his inflammatory and factually inaccurate statements. The people attending pro-Palestinian marches and endorsing BDS are merely exercising their free speech and opposing the actions of Israel as a state, which is committing war crimes against the Palestinians. Mr. Simcox’s statements do nothing to ease the situation but rather have the potential to incite further prejudice and divisiveness amidst an already hostile time.'”