Channel 4 stands by ‘challenging’ interview with Jewish journalist
The editor of Channel 4 News has defended presenter Jackie Long after she asked whether a kippah-wearing journalist who filmed himself being harassed in Paris was “provoking” people by wearing the religious garment.
Editor Ben de Pear told Jewish News: “Jackie was merely reflecting the views of some critics by challenging the journalist with views of people out there.”
When asked which people he meant, a spokeswoman simply said the video “was both praised and criticised by people who watched it”.
It comes after media regulator Ofcom said it had received eight complaints and that it was weighing up its options. A spokesman said: “We will assess these complaints before deciding whether to investigate or not.”
In the interview, Long spoke to journalist Zvika Klein, who documented anti-Semitic reactions to his traditional Jewish clothing during a 10-hour walk through the French capital.
During the interview, she asked: “Do you accept what some critics would say that the video, the way it was done, was an act of provocation?” When Klein said he did not feel that it was a provocation, Long said: “Condensing it into 90 seconds makes it incredibly powerful though, doesn’t it?
Klein later said he was “shocked to be asked such a question,” adding: “Is dressing as a Muslim a provocation? Is wearing a cross a provocation? I am deeply offended and shocked that this is the British media.”
Long’s insinuation has caused upset in the Jewish community. Writing on the CST blog, spokesman Dave Rich said: “I naively thought, who could imagine that it is a provocation? Channel 4 News, apparently.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
