Tell Ofcom to investigate ITV's censorship of Palestine

Last week, ITV censored a t-shirt displaying a watermelon in the shape of a map of historic Palestine, worn by Big Brother contestant Ali Bromley during the programme. Originally, the t-shirt was displayed, before the episode was removed from ITV’s online on-demand service and reuploaded with the symbol removed. The channel went on to issue an apology for originally displaying the t-shirt, insinuating it fell foul of its prohibition on “personal items” which could be “deemed harmful.”

Such egregious censorship of a symbol of Palestinian national identity must not go unchallenged. Write to Ofcom and demand it investigates and forces ITV to apologise for this censorship.

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Dear Ofcom,
I am writing to request that Ofcom urgently investigate ITV’s decision to censor a t-shirt displaying a watermelon in the shape of a map of historic Palestine, worn by Big Brother contestant Ali Bromley during the programme on 22 October 2024. Originally, Ali Bromley’s t-shirt was displayed on camera, before the episode was removed from ITV’s online on-demand service, ITVX, and reuploaded with the symbol removed.  Big Brother went on to issue an apology for displaying the t-shirt, insinuating it fell foul of its prohibition on “personal items” which could be “deemed harmful.”
The watermelon is used by Palestinians, and their allies around the world, as a symbol of their struggle for freedom, justice and equality. Israel has banned the display of the Palestinian flag in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and placed severe restrictions on its display by Palestinians inside Israel. In this context, where expressions of Palestinian national identity are repressed, the watermelon, bearing the same colours as the Palestinian flag and being grown across Palestine, has been used to circumvent Israel’s arbitrary restrictions, becoming a symbol of Palestinians rootedness in their land.
Across the world, the watermelon has become a symbol of support for Palestinians, especially since October 2023, as Palestinians have faced Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza, and an acceleration of its militarised attacks across their homeland. Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed in excess of 42,000 Palestinians, displaced over 90% of Gaza’s population (most multiple times), and left the entire population facing famine.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has outlined that “[T]he overwhelming nature and scale of Israel’s assault on Gaza and the destructive conditions of life it has inflicted reveal an intent to physically destroy Palestinians as a group.” UN experts have further warned that Israel’s “massive destruction of educational, cultural and heritage institutions and the land itself deeply jeopardises Palestinian culture, national identity and existence on the land.” ITV’s decision to censor a symbol of Palestinian national identity while Palestinians are facing an existential threat to their survival isolates Palestinians from their supporters around the world and provides legitimacy to Israel’s attempts to exterminate them.
Moreover, by issuing an apology for originally displaying the watermelon, ITV has provided unjustified credibility to those who falsely claim that expressions of Palestinian identity constitute antisemitic prejudice or hatred. Such a suggestion is a form of anti-Palestinian racism that should not be given legitimacy by a national broadcaster.
I have significant concerns about the detrimental impact of this incident on Palestinians, those advocating for their rights, and the rights that belong to all members of the public to freedom of expression. Given this, I am asking Ofcom to investigate the grounds for the censorship, and require ITV to issue an apology.

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Tell Ofcom to investigate ITV's censorship of Palestine