In October 2005 the Governors commissioned the Independent Panel, chaired by Sir Quentin Thomas, to "assess the impartiality of BBC news and current affairs coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with particular regard to accuracy, fairness, context, balance and bias."

The Board of Governors published the Independent Panel's report in April 2006 and requested BBC Management to consider its findings and recommendations and submit their response to the Governors at their June Board meeting.

The Governors have published below their conclusions in a statement and BBC Management's response, including approved recommendations for implementation.

Governors' statement and BBC Management's response

Independent Panel report

The Panel reviewed BBC output, visited the region, considered written submissions from interested organisations and individuals and called witnesses. It also studied content analysis and audience research conducted by Loughborough University and Opinion Leader Research respectively.

Between 3 October and 25 November 2005 the Panel invited written submissions from anyone who wanted to comment on the BBC's coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Panel would like to thank all of those people who submitted a response.

The report is published here in full, together with its appendices. The report is entirely the work of the Independent Panel and its contents should be attributed only to the Panel. Likewise, the research carried out by Loughborough University and Opinion Leader Research and any other third party contribution published here should be attributed to them if quoted.

For the full report and its appendices, please see the documents below.

Independent Panel report

Appendices:

A. Acknowledgements
B. Terms of Reference, Methodology, Panel and Organisations submitting evidence
C. Opinion Leader Research Audience Research Report
D. Loughborough University Content Analysis Report
E. Noam Lubell International Law Report
F1. BBC Management Paper: Strategy
F2. BBC Management Paper: Editorial Processes
F3. BBC Management Paper: Complaints Handling
G. Panel Complaints Note
H. Panel Impartiality Note

Appendix A - Acknowledgements

Appendix B - Terms of Reference, Methodology, Panel and Organisations submitting evidence

Appendix C - Opinion Leader Research Audience Research Report

Appendix D - Loughborough University Content Analysis Report

Appendix E - Noam Lubell International Law Report

Appendix F1 - BBC Management Paper: Strategy

Appendix F2 - BBC Management Paper: Editorial Processes

Appendix F3 - BBC Management Paper: Complaints Handling

Appendix G - Panel Complaints Note

Appendix H - Panel Impartiality Note

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