The BBC reprimands its employees for describing Hamas as "terrorist" ... and the occupation objects.

The BBC has reprimanded its presenters after they referred to Hamas as a "terrorist group" during a television broadcast on June 15. The BBC's editorial guidelines state: "The term (terrorist) is only used with attribution, that is, when quoting or citing its use by others."

The corporation's editorial complaints unit stated in a message on its website that the unnamed broadcaster deviated from the BBC's editorial policy by using this description, and emphasized that the organization does not label any group as "terrorist" or "terrorist group," in adherence to "accuracy and impartiality."

The BBC confirmed that if it adopted the language of the British government, it could be seen as an arm of the state, which would undermine its efforts to provide neutral reporting on the crisis in Gaza.