View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

BBC’s Jeremy Bowen says there is a time place to show ‘dead bodies of kids’ on TV news

By Dominic Ponsford

BBC Middle East Jeremy Bowen has revealed that the corporation has received “plenty of complaints” from BBC viewers about the lack of images of dead bodies in its conflict reports.

He told The Independent: “I say we are trying to spare the viewer’s feelings and they say you are covering up the truth – the truth is that kids are being blown to bits.”

Bowen, who suffered minor injuries after being hit by shotgun pellets fired by Egyptian security forces last year, was named News Television Journalists of the Year at the RTS Awards last month.

He said: “You can show the effect on the living, the sadness. But I think there is a time and a place sometimes to show dead bodies, dead bodies of kids.”

Content from our partners
Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network