Susan Sarandon among hundreds to urge BBC to release delayed Gaza film

Open letter signed by more than 600 industry figures says corporation is failing in its journalistic responsibility

The Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and the British film-maker Mike Leigh are among hundreds of figures from the cultural world accusing the BBC of censoring Palestinian voices, after its decision to delay the broadcast of a documentary on medics in Gaza.

Tim Davie, the BBC’s director general, has received an open letter signed by more than 600 industry figures – including some of his own employees – stating that editorial caution over the subject has spilled over into “political suppression”.