BBC accused of making ‘propaganda’ films for Saudi sovereign wealth fund

Critics say films lauding country’s attitude to women and green credentials could damage corporation’s reputation 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…

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• Critics say films lauding country’s attitude to women and green credentials could damage corporation’s reputation The BBC has been accused of making “glossy propaganda films” for Saudi Arabia’s…
• 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.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

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• Critics say films lauding country’s attitude to women and green credentials could damage corporation’s reputation The BBC has been accused of making “glossy propaganda films” for Saudi Arabia’s…
• 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.

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• 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.