silverguide.site –

The BBC has been accused of making “glossy propaganda films” for Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and taking money from a “repressive regime”.

BBC Storyworks, the corporation’s commercial arm, has entered into a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The broadcaster has made a series of films and written articles lauding the country’s supposedly progressive attitude to women and eco-friendly credentials. These are hosted on a mini-site that carried BBC branding.

Some have suggested it is inappropriate for the BBC to be taking money from the Saudi government, after the 2018 murder of the US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The BBC has been looking for other sources of funding as the number of people paying the licence fee dwindles. Last year’s annual report revealed 23.8m licences were in force at the end of the year, down from 24.1m in 2023-24. The drop means a loss of about £50m in revenue for the corporation.

The mini-site is not viewable for people in the UK unless they use a VPN, because it is not funded by the licence fee. However, critics have said “close association with repressive regimes” could damage trust in the brand.

Patrick Howse, the BBC’s former Baghdad bureau chief, said: “The BBC’s existence depends on its reputation as an unbiased and reliable news outlet that is beholden to no one and pursues the truth without fear or favour.

“The airing of glossy propaganda films at major junctions seriously undermines that. The BBC is an extremely well-recognised and trusted brand, but close association with repressive regimes endangers that.

“The BBC is a huge asset to the UK and it needs to be properly funded so that it is not reliant on advertising money from countries that have no regard for democratic values or for the protection of the environment.”

Saudi Aramco is the world’s biggest oil exporter, but a piece written by the BBC Storyworks team funded by the Saudi government’s investment vehicle burnishes the country’s green credentials.

It reads: “Organisations and institutions are therefore turning focus towards reducing carbon emissions, working towards the scenario that would do the least damage to the planet. One such organisation is PIF. As Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund, it is investing $10bn in green projects by 2026.”

PIF was created from oil revenue and it has significant investments in fossil fuels.

Saudi Arabia has long been known for its oppression of women. While some restrictions have been lifted, such as on the right to drive, the male guardianship system is still in place and has faced criticism from human rights organisations.

A BBC Storyworks article funded by PIF says of a national airline’s attitude to women: “Aviation workforce development is also a focus at Riyadh Air – including increasing women’s participation. Riyadh Air’s first intake of Saudi women trainee aircraft engineers started their diploma course in 2024.”

Joey Shea, a Saudi Arabia senior researcher for Human Rights Watch, told the Guardian: “PIF investments are an important tool of Saudi soft power and influence, and are used to whitewash Saudi government abuses. Human Rights Watch has found that through its investments the PIF seeks to garner uncritical foreign support for [Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s] agenda, spread disinformation about the country’s rights record, neutralise scrutiny, silence critics and undermine institutions seeking transparency and accountability.

“Businesses should refrain from activities that would bolster the reputation of government entities or officials recently and credibly accused of serious abuses.”

Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK’s head of campaigns, said: “Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into cultural and entertainment projects to polish its global image, but its human rights record remains deeply alarming. These glossy ventures risk distracting from ongoing abuses inside the kingdom.

“Peaceful activists like Manahel al-Otaibi are still imprisoned, and even British nationals such as Ahmed al-Doush have been jailed over social media posts. The BBC’s credibility depends on reporting without fear or favour. That trust cannot be for sale, and it must not be compromised by any investment that risks rewriting a human rights record.”

A BBC Studios spokesperson said: “BBC News maintains clear separation between its commercial and editorial departments and our journalists continue to report rigorously, impartially and without fear or favour on all issues, with no consideration of wider commercial relationships.”

PIF has been approached for comment.