Western media, especially BBC, have shown that they act as an arm of Israel's psychological warfare in dealing with developments in West Asia. These media outlets distort the truth and systematically justify and legitimize Israel's crimes by choosing words, news frameworks, and representing events.
In this note by Pars Today, we examine some of the tactics used by BBC in its psychological operations, focusing on its behavior towards the Israeli regime and the anti-colonial Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah.
1. Weaponizing language and words in reports
BBC and similar media outlets use words like "bold", "escalation", and "targets" to distort the nature of Israel's aggression and present it in a positive or neutral light. For example, in BBC reports, Israel's deadly attacks on Lebanon are described as "escalation to reduce tension" or "necessary escalation to restore security", which tries to make the killing of civilians and destruction of Lebanon's infrastructure seem reasonable. In one BBC report, Israel's attacks were described as "a bold and complex operation", which praises Israel's war crimes while maintaining their intensity.
2. Misrepresenting the right to self-defense and legitimizing Israel's aggression
Major Western media outlets widely recognize Israel's right to self-defense, while ignoring Hezbollah's right to self-defense. For example, BBC constantly portrays Hezbollah's limited attacks as the main threat, while 7,845 out of 9,600 border attacks were carried out by the Israeli regime. BBC describes Israel's attacks as legitimate self-defense and refrains from mentioning the high number of Lebanese casualties.
3. Broadcasting Israel's propaganda videos without criticism
BBC broadcasts Israel's false, propaganda videos, which show Hezbollah missiles hidden in Lebanese homes, without criticism. These videos, similar to Israel's past propaganda about hiding missiles in Gaza, have no basis and are merely a pretext for justifying the killing of Lebanese civilians and ethnic cleansing. In one of these videos, which BBC widely broadcast, it was claimed that Hezbollah missiles were hidden in living rooms, which has no credibility and was merely created digitally.
4. Exaggerating Hezbollah's missile threats and downplaying Israel's crimes
In BBC reports, Hezbollah's limited attacks are highly emphasized, while Israel's destructive and widespread attacks on Lebanon, which killed hundreds of civilians in one day and displaced tens of thousands, are introduced as "limited and defensive" actions.
5. Hiding the real reasons for Hezbollah's attacks
BBC completely ignores the real reasons for Hezbollah's attacks. Hezbollah has repeatedly stated that its goal is to end the occupation of Gaza and stop the killing of Palestinians through controlled pressure. However, BBC ignores these humanitarian demands and portrays Hezbollah as a merely "terrorist" force. In another report, BBC quoted an Israeli official, accusing Hezbollah of being "inherently anti-Semitic", and again ignored the real reasons for Hezbollah's actions.
6. Unconditionally accepting Israel's narrative about "Targets"
BBC uncritically reflects Israel's claims that all its bombing targets are military and belong to Hezbollah. This approach is while, in reality, many of the victims and injured are civilians, including women and children. For example, in a BBC report, it was quoted from the Israeli army that "over 2,000 Hezbollah targets" were bombed, while no investigation was conducted to verify these claims, and the number of civilian casualties was ignored.
7. Hiding Israel's repeated violations of international law
Many international organizations have declared the occupation of Palestine illegal and a crime against humanity; however, BBC never mentions these crimes and focuses on Israel's official narratives. In the same vein, Israel's violations of international law, such as bombing communication devices and using banned weapons, are completely ignored.
8. Playing a role in shifting public opinion
BBC also shifts public opinion from Israel's widespread crimes in Gaza and Lebanon by focusing on Hezbollah's limited attacks. This shift allows Israel to continue its actions without international reaction.
9. Normalizing Israel's aggression and condemning Lebanon's resistance
BBC normalizes Israel's aggression and presents it as Israel's "natural right", while introducing Lebanon's resistance in a negative and threatening way. This misrepresentation legitimates Israel's colonial goals and violations of international law.
In
conclusion, major Western media outlets, especially BBC, systematically
distort the truth in the service of Israel's political interests. These
media outlets, with their biased language, incomplete representation,
and broadcasting of false propaganda, hide Israel's crimes and
legitimize its aggression.
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