BBC correspondent withdrew from ’a one-sided debate’ over Al Jazeera

CAIRO – 18 July 2017: Frank Gardener, BBC’s current Security Correspondent withdrew from chairing a panel discussion or “a one-sided debate,” held on Monday over the future of Qatari-led Al Jazeera.

The said debate, which was to take place at the London-based Frontline Club, saw a slew of criticism from journalists over its "biased" nature.

Media commentators expressed their reservation over the choice of the panel members participating in the debate titled "The Al Jazeera Case."

A source within BBC criticized the organization of the debate as it did not include any participants from the UEA, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain or Egypt.

Adhering to BBC, Gardner refused to chair the debate amid his fear of it being exploited for propaganda purposes in favor of Al Jazeera and Qatar, especially in the absence of any balance of perspectives on the panel.

The debate panel members’ comprised of Al Jazeera ex-director Wadah Khanfar, Giles Trendle, Al Jazeera English Managing Director and David Hearst, editor in chief of Middle East Eye website.

It also saw the attendance of Dr. Marc Jones from the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at Exeter University, who, according to Frontline Club’s website, is specialized in the political repression in Bahrain.

Safa Al-Ahmad, a Saudi Arabian reporter and director replaced Gardener and chaired the debate. Ahmad was reportedly a bit defiant towards the debates' speakers, amid sharp objections over Al Jazeera raised by the participation of the audience.

Dozens of protesters with banners reading “Ban Al Jazeera” congregated outside the Frontline Club in London, the set of the debate.

On June 5, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen cut all diplomatic ties with Qatar, hurling allegations that the state supports terrorism. Ports and airspace were cut off to Qatari vessels.

On June 6, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Al-Sabah started a tour that included Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar in an attempt to mediate between the three countries; the attempt was unsuccessful.

A list of 13 demands were given to Doha’s government by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain for reconciliation which includes the closing of Al Jazeera. Qatar’s response was described as “negative” by the four countries’ foreign ministers, who released a joint statement from a summit held in Cairo on July 5.