In response to a statement tonight by the Royal Television Society, UK Screen Industry has said:

“We welcome the Royal Television Society’s U-turn in reinstating the Special Award for the courageous Palestinian journalists of Gaza. However, the charity’s statement does little to address or allay our concerns.

“The RTS now claims the award was simply ‘paused’ due to unspecified ‘potential for controversy’ at its Television Journalism Awards on 5 March – a claim that has never previously been mentioned. It also refers to a ‘previously announced review process’ of which we are entirely unaware.

“It is clear to all that this award must be presented at the RTS Programme Awards on 25 March with the full recognition and honour these journalists deserve. Yet the RTS continues to prevaricate.

“In light of the organisation’s apparent attempts to now reframe this shameful debacle, we stand by our demand for full answers to the questions raised in our letter of 11 March. We also ask: why did it take the RTS far longer to reinstate the award than it did to withdraw it?

“This mishandling has damaged not just the RTS’s reputation but that of the British media as a whole, with widespread national and international coverage of this story and condemnation.

“Today’s reversal is just the first step. The RTS must now undertake a full organisational review in consultation with the industry it claims to represent.”

Below is the press statement put out at 6pm on Friday 14 March by the Royal Television Society. It responds to the letter from 400 screen and journalism professionals concerned about the cancelation of the Special Award:

“A decision was taken not to present the Special Award at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards.  At that time, it was felt strongly that there was potential at the ceremony on the night for the recent controversy around some Gaza coverage to overshadow the Award.

“Following the decision to pause the presentation of the award, the RTS met this week as part of the Society’s previously announced review process. The Society remains committed to recognising the work of Journalists in Gaza and will be making the Special Award. It is discussing how this will take place”.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
UK Screen Industry is an unaffiliated, independent group of media professionals. Artists for Palestine UK is honoured to host statements from independent initiatives that seek to defend the democratic, transparent and fair functioning of our institutions and which share our values with regards to equality and anti-racism.