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Karishma Patel

@karishmapatel.bsky.social

1.1K followers 10 following 28 posts

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 5

I’ve written a piece on leaving my role as a BBC journalist & newsreader over its unwillingness to follow the evidence out of Gaza - it also touches on why I joined 1k other media figures in signing a letter condemning the BBC for removing ‘Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone’

Indy Voices @independentvoices.bsky.social · Mar 5

I’m a former BBC newsreader – Gaza is the reason I resigned | @karishmapatel.bsky.social www.independent.co.uk/voices/bbc-g...

I’m a former BBC newsreader – Gaza is the reason I resigned

The controversy over the pulling of the ‘How to Survive a Warzone’ documentary is a distraction from a much bigger problem my old employer has with impartiality, writes Karishma Patel

www.independent.co.uk

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · 26d

In my first piece for Grazia, I talk about why I attended recent protests against the far right. As a British Asian woman, it’s important I come out and say: this is our Britain too. Diversity is core to what Britain is today.
graziadaily.co.uk/life/in-the-...

'I Marched In Opposition To The Far Right Demonstration - This Is What Happened'

'Feeling superior to ethnic minorities is not a culture - actual British culture is rich and more complex,’ writes journalist Karishma Patel.

graziadaily.co.uk

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Reposted by Karishma Patel

ʀak @raksky.bsky.social · Sep 5

ex-BBC Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social:

"Palestinian journalists in #Gaza are producing high quality independent journalism… they’re still accused of lacking in independence - often by journalists in the West who have themselves caved to pressure."

🔗 instagram.com/reel/DOOAr0eCMId

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Sep 14

Get yourselves to the Stop Trump protest on Weds. We refuse to normalise the far right and its cruelty toward minorities. The below video should terrify you. In it, I play a newsreader in a future where a Trump/Farage-like figure is Prime Minister in the UK. A chilling notion.

Stop Trump Coalition @ukstoptrump.bsky.social · Sep 14

Yesterday, the largest far-right protest in UK history marched through London, led by racist Tommy Robinson.

Today, we say: They don’t speak for us — and they won’t have the last word.

This Wednesday we come together against Trump and for a better future. Do everything to be there.

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Aug 21

Listen instead to experts like Zoe who don’t succumb to govt framing or throw scare headlines/numbers at you, but actually provide the context and meaning making analysis to help you understand the full picture - in which asylum seekers are human beings. 2/2

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Aug 21

“Impartial” news outlets like the BBC and Sky are currently running stories around “small boats”, playing directly into the govt and the far right’s framing - while throwing in the odd decontextualised statistic to maintain the appearance of “accuracy” and “neutrality”. 1/2

Zoe Gardner @zoejardiniere.bsky.social · Aug 21

I should add some nuance to this point - access to work is different across EU countries & there remain many barriers.

But in some countries it's working well. We should be matching asylum seekers with language & skills training in areas where we need workers to get the best for all

Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · Aug 21

Zoe Gardner: asylum seekers should be able to work while their claims are processed. Yes!

It was the last Lab govt that removed their right to work, talked about bogus asylum seekers swamping our schools, introduced vouchers & opened Yarls Wood. And here we are #GMB

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Reposted by Karishma Patel

ʀak @raksky.bsky.social · Aug 11

ex-BBC Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social:

“It's time we talk about how news orgs like the BBC weaponise the concept of "bias" against minoritised journalists, like those reporting on the ground in #Gaza.”

Would Geeta Guru-Murthy question her brother @krishgm.bsky.social’s independence?

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Reposted by Karishma Patel

Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · Aug 13

🔴 'BBC's Language Around “Palestinian Journalists” Is an Egregious Double-Standard'

Usually reporters close to a story and source are celebrated for their insight — in Gaza, it is framed as ‘bias’, argues @karishmapatel.bsky.social

bylinetimes.com/2025/08/13/b...

'BBC's Language Around “Palestinian Journalists” Is an Egregious Double-Standard'

Usually reporters close to a story and source are celebrated for their insight — in Gaza, it is framed as 'bias', argues Karishma Patel

bylinetimes.com

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Apr 30

This is the dynamic in the newsroom. Big names or “talent” over the mass of mid-level producers, contracted workers over freelancers. How can journalists have open discussions in this environment?

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Apr 30

In my latest piece for @the-independent.com, I write about the rigid hierarchies in the BBC, which stop journalists from speaking openly about everything from #Gaza to dodgy big name presenters. Mid-level journalists and freelancers can feel their careers are at risk, creating a culture of silence.

Indy Voices @independentvoices.bsky.social · Apr 30

By relying on casual workers who have little career stability and feel as though they cannot speak up on key issues, the BBC has fostered an environment of silence and fear, writes @karishmapatel.bsky.social www.independent.co.uk/voices/bbc-w...

The BBC I know has a toxic culture – and freelancers are fodder for it

By relying on casual workers who have little career stability and feel as though they cannot speak up on key issues, the corporation has fostered an environment of silence and fear, writes Karishma Pa...

www.independent.co.uk

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Apr 17

Full Spring Issue here:
cloud.3dissue.com/184930/18540...

Women in Leadership publication 2025 Spring Issue

cloud.3dissue.com

Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Apr 17

Proud to join women like Diane Abbott and Noura Erakat in the Spring Issue of Women in Leadership magazine. Read my piece on why I left the BBC over #Gaza, and why I still believe in the idea of public service journalism.

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Reposted by Karishma Patel

Owen Jones @owenjones.bsky.social · Apr 16

Ex-BBC presenter @karishmapatel.bsky.social calls out the BBC's Gaza coverage for what it is: disinformation. 👏👏

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Apr 10

Full interview here: t.co/qBLhnIwejA

https://www.thenational.scot/news/25073962.ex-bbc-reporter-says-media-failed-palestinian-journalists/

t.co

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Apr 10

From my interview with @scotnational.bsky.social on why mainstream news outlets haven’t openly condemned, or properly covered, Israel’s attacks on journalists in #Gaza. BBC, Sky, ITV - where are your public statements on this? Journalism itself is at stake.

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Apr 2

Likeminded creatives have been getting in touch since I started writing about BBC coverage of Gaza, and announced I was supporting Gaza Great Minds charity as a Miss Universe Great Britain finalist. Looking forward to more collaborations.
Photographer: Toks Majek - toksmajek.com

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 26

I spoke to Middle East Eye about Israel targeting brave Palestinian journalists like Hossam Shabat in Gaza, and the lack of mainstream media coverage around this.

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 24

Journalists in Gaza are the best of us. Every news outlet should publicly condemn Israel’s attacks on fellow journalists. Lives are at stake, democracy is at stake, journalism itself is at stake. Exhibit an ounce of his bravery and speak up in the name of Hossam Shabat.

Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · Mar 24

Separate Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed two media workers, including Al Jazeera journalist Hossam Shabat aje.io/ylcl1j

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 23

I spoke to The Mirror about why I left the BBC over Gaza, double standards in how BBC social media rules were applied around Palestine, and why I’m fundraising for Gaza Great Minds as a Miss Universe finalist.
t.co/a8eUveEdsN

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/i-worked-bbc-5-years-34909169

t.co

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Reposted by Karishma Patel

Owen Jones @owenjones.bsky.social · Mar 20

This BBC presenter resigned over its pro-Israel bias.

Everyone needs to listen to what @karishmapatel.bsky.social says.

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 18

There’s more than enough evidence to include as *fact* that Israel has been regularly violating the ceasefire in Gaza since it was put into place & has violated it now, killing civilians. Instead the BBC is treating this as an unreliable claim, entirely attributed to Hamas.

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 14

It’s come to my attention that 8 mins after ranting about @sangitamyska.bsky.social on LBC, @mrjamesob.bsky.social praised my Indy article on the BBC’s Gaza coverage as “brilliant”. This doesn’t absolve him of attacking another woman of colour mere minutes ago. I stand in solidarity with her.

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 12

I spoke to @owenjones.bsky.social about the accountability hole at the heart of the BBC’s Gaza coverage. We go into everything from language shielding Israel, to my fundraising for the education charity Gaza Great Minds as a Miss Universe GB finalist. Have a listen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Hp...

BBC Presenter RESIGNS Over Israel Bias - And Exposes The TRUTH - w/. Karishma Patel

YouTube video by Owen Jones

www.youtube.com

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 9

And there was far less outrage, despite concerns raised internally. Read my full interview here: t.co/bspFNRwF4S

https://www.thenational.scot/news/24991451.former-bbc-journalist-speaks-shocking-gaza-documentary-axe/

t.co

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 9

There’s plenty of concern over unfounded claims Hamas influenced ‘Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone’. Let’s talk about the BBC’s choice to embed with the Israeli military twice, and to be subject to its censor? As I told The National, this was open meddling in BBC coverage.

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Karishma Patel @karishmapatel.bsky.social · Mar 9

There is a child at the heart of this - Abdullah - and seeing the BBC’s own child safeguarding rules thrown by the wayside is “a deeply shocking abdication of responsibility”.

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