BBC Prohibits Using 'Kidnapping' Term for Maduro U.S. Capture
British journalist and Guardian columnist Owen Jones disclosed the internal directive through social media channels, sparking immediate controversy over the broadcaster's word choice protocols.
US forces extracted Maduro from Caracas during a weekend military operation, subsequently transporting him to New York where he now confronts drug trafficking and weapons allegations. During his initial court proceeding, Maduro rejected all charges and characterized his removal with specific language: he stated he had been "kidnapped."
The internal BBC guidance explicitly prohibits staff from stating that the US "kidnapped" Maduro, instead mandating terms such as "seized" and "captured" for editorial consistency.
Jones condemned the policy as "Orwellian stuff," describing "seized" as "at best, a euphemism." He noted that US President Donald Trump himself acknowledged that "kidnapped" is "not a bad term" when referencing the operation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer sidestepped questions about whether the American military action breached international legal standards, emphasizing that Britain's focus centers on achieving a "peaceful transition to democracy" in Venezuela.
The editorial controversy compounds existing scrutiny facing BBC leadership. Last November, the organization issued a formal apology following revelations that editors had manipulated footage from Trump's January 6, 2021 address—when his supporters breached Congress during certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory.
BBC officials conceded the editing created "the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action." The incident triggered senior-level resignations and prompted Trump to file a $10 billion defamation lawsuit, which the broadcaster intends to challenge.
The network continues facing sustained criticism regarding its Israel-Gaza conflict reporting, with detractors alleging pronounced pro-Israel editorial slant and insufficient coverage of Palestinian casualties.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
