OPEN

While freedom reigns for the personal, authorial voice style of bloggers, the BBC has to be very, very careful indeed.

It also wants to be as open as possible about how it is being careful. Possible the closest scrutinised reports in the world are those it publishes on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (is that a neutral term, I wonder, even as I write the words).

Supporters of both sides routinely accuse the BBC of bias. Hence, its broadcast and web reporters must walk a terminology tight-rope with every sentence they utter or write. 

It is interesting to see the glossary if terms in the new style guide for reporting on the issue that the BBC has published. Take for instance this description of “West Bank Barrier“:

BARRIER

BBC journalists should try to avoid using terminology favoured by one side or another in any dispute.

The BBC uses the terms “barrier”, “separation barrier” or “West Bank barrier” as acceptable generic descriptions to avoid the political connotations of “security fence” (preferred by the Israeli government) or “apartheid wall” (preferred by the Palestinians).

The United Nations also uses the term “barrier”.

Of course, a reporter standing in front of a concrete section of the barrier might choose to say “this wall” or use a more exact description in the light of what he or she is looking at.

It’s fascinating to see the words that stand on each side of the divide.

: : Via The Editors Blog. As Simon Wilson says on the blog:

The aim is not to be proscriptive, but to give colleagues who can’t reasonably be expected to follow every twist and turn of the conflict some suggestions to deal with the more contentious topics.