Judgment has been handed down today in the Trial of Preliminary Issues in Berg v Jones [2026] EWHC 564 (KB). The case concerned an article written by Owen Jones and published on Drop Site News about the Claimant, Raphael Berg, who is Middle East Editor for online BBC News. Mrs Justice Steyn found that the meaning was:
“The claimant, in his senior editorial role and as a writer, has consistently failed to meet the BBC’s editorial standards of impartiality and fairness by shaping coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict so as to favour Israel, including by editing the BBC’s coverage in ways that (i) promote the government of Israel’s narratives; and (ii) fail to humanise Palestinians killed or injured in the conflict, thereby producing biased and imbalanced journalism”. The statement complained of was defamatory of the Claimant at common law.
Mrs Justice Steyn found that the statement complained of was a statement of opinion, and that it sufficiently indicated in general terms (as well as, on occasion, giving specific examples) the basis of the opinion, namely the BBC’s coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the claimant’s own reporting.
John Stables acted for the Claimant, Raphael Berg, instructed by Patron Law. Aidan Eardley KC and Hannah Gilliland acted for the Defendant, Owen Jones, instructed by RPC.