Sunday, February 15, 2026

BBC tells journalists to avoid term ‘kidnapped’ in Maduro case – leaked memo

Leaked BBC memo prohibits use of word kidnapping

British state media outlet BBC has instructed its journalists not to describe the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a “kidnapping,” according to a leaked internal memo that has triggered fresh criticism of the broadcaster’s editorial stance.

The guidance, shared publicly by British journalist and Guardian columnist Owen Jones, directs staff to avoid the word “kidnapped” and instead use alternatives such as “seized” or “captured” when reporting on Maduro’s removal from Venezuela during a US military operation.

During his initial court appearance, Maduro described his removal from Venezuela as a “kidnapping.”

The leaked memo reportedly states that the BBC has effectively barred journalists from using the same term. Jones criticised the language guidance, calling “seized” a euphemism and describing the policy as “Orwellian stuff.” He noted that even US President Donald Trump had acknowledged that “kidnapped” was “not a bad term” to describe the operation.



The controversy comes as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to say whether the US action breached international law, instead emphasising Britain’s focus on what he called a “peaceful transition to democracy” in Venezuela.

The memo adds to ongoing scrutiny of the BBC’s editorial decisions. The broadcaster remains under criticism for its handling of politically sensitive stories, including a high-profile apology issued in November after a programme edited a Trump speech from January 6, 2021, in a way the BBC later admitted was misleading.

That incident led to the resignation of senior staff and contributed to a multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit filed by Trump, which the BBC has said it will contest.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. No talk of the US or its little friend the UK’s illegality…so let’s do it for you; kidnapped, abducted, home invasion, violation of rule of law, sovereign rights, homicide, acts of war……there ya go…..

  2. The BBC reported extensively on Ronnie Biggs being kidnapped in 1981 from Brazil and taken to Barbados, where the plot collapsed and he was ultimately returned to Brazil rather than the UK.
    The BBC’s own archive contains a detailed “On This Day” report describing the event and its aftermath.
    Mordechai Vanunu, also known as John Crossman, was an Israeli former nuclear technician and peace activist who, citing his opposition to weapons of mass destruction, revealed details of Israel’s nuclear weapons program to the British press in 1986.
    He was subsequently lured from Britain to Italy by the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad honey trap, where he was drugged and abducted.
    BBC coverage of Mordechai Vanunu was extensive, with confirmed multiple BBC News articles about his release, re‑arrests, and restrictions. The BBC has repeatedly reported on his 1986 kidnapping by Mossad, his 18‑year imprisonment, and his ongoing legal battles.
    AI response – based on the search results, no BBC article appeared about Adolf Eichmann’s kidnapping.
    BBC British state propaganda megaphone apparatus of manipulation disinformation lies distortion and spin.
    No wonder people refuse to pay for a TV license.

  3. I think thej should stick with ‘kidnapping’.
    ‘kiddienapping’ would put too much attention on what’s realy going on.

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