BBC spurns Gaza appeal

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You — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 - 18:29

Archbishop joins criticism of BBC refusal to screen Gaza appeal

Corporation receives 11,000 complaints and 50 MPs plan to back motion calling on BBC to change its mind over aid film

The Archbishop of Canterbury today added to criticism of the BBC over its refusal to broadcast a charity appeal for aid to Gaza.

...it emerged the BBC had received some 11,000 complaints and more than 50 MPs planned to back a parliamentary motion urging the corporation to reverse its decision not to broadcast tomorrow's appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

...Meanwhile, adding his voice to the calls for a U-turn while speaking after a church service in Cambridge, the Right Rev Rowan Williams said: "My feeling is that the BBC should broadcast an appeal."

...Mark Thompson, the BBC director general, has been left isolated as ITV and Channel 4 agreed to air the plea for aid...

Read more @ The Guardian

Urban.rust — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 - 21:29

Apparently the BBC doesn't want to compromise its impartiality - A Lot of use its done them so far, they've not only lost their viewers confidence but have also proved themselves to be biased on all fronts.

You — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 - 21:32

I personally have thought of them to be pretty decent in the past - and pretty unbiased to be honest.

But this decision of theirs seems moronic to me.

I am glad that other broadcasters have broken ranks and will broadcast the appeal (the default method is all or nothing - if one broadcaster disagreed, they all would pull out.)

You — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 - 14:06

Probably because they will be showing the destruction, the death etc - which Israel denies it is responsible for?

Actually, no idea.

You — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 - 16:19

yup. hence the current decision being stupid.

I like the BBC but this makes no sense to me.

You — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 - 16:28

The problem here is that the BBC is publicly funded.

If a private broadcaster did something - they have every right. They are not using our money. The BBC is.

And the fact that this is the first appeal to have been turned down by them in 46 years...

Further it put into jeopardy other tv stations as before now the broadcast deal was all or nothing - all channels would show it or none would, so pulling out meant the decision was taken away from the others.

But C4 and C5 "rebelled" and have decided to still show it.

Ya'qub — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 - 21:49

How much EXTRA attention has the Gaza appeal got because of the BBC's decision not to air this, than if they had quietly aired ti wothout making a fuss?