Following a three-month enquiry, the Independent Television Commission (ITC) has published (January 14, 2003) its adjudication, rejecting complaints against Pilger's documentary. The report praises the film's journalistic integrity and refers to the "care and thoroughness with which [the film] was researched", adding:

"The ITC raised with Carlton all the significant areas of inaccuracy critics of the programme alleged and the broadcaster answered them by reference to a range of historical texts. The ITC is not a tribunal of fact and is particularly aware of the difficulties of verifying 'historical fact' but the comprehensiveness and authority of Carlton's sources were persuasive, not least because many appeared to be of Israeli origin." (ITC Report: Palestine is Still the Issue: a Special Report by John Pilger, Monday 16 September. 11.05pm. ITV, Carlton, January 14, 2003)

Pilger's documentary, the ITC adds, "was not in breach of the ITC Programme Code... Adequate opportunity was given to a pro-Israeli government perspective."

A Carlton spokesman said: "We are delighted that the ITC has recognised the
quality of our film-making process and particularly its praise for the editorial and journalistic integrity of our production."