This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/oct/21/great-ormond-street-charity-adverts-russia-today-children-tv

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Great Ormond Street charity pulls fundraising adverts from Russian channel RT Great Ormond Street charity pulls fundraising adverts from Russian channel RT
(35 minutes later)
A children’s charity that said it was unaware its fundraising ads were running on the controversial Kremlin-backed TV news channel RT (formerly Russia Today) has asked for them to be taken off air.A children’s charity that said it was unaware its fundraising ads were running on the controversial Kremlin-backed TV news channel RT (formerly Russia Today) has asked for them to be taken off air.
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, one of the main RT advertisers according to unofficial Nielsen research supplied to the Guardian by industry sources, expressed dismay at its fundraising ads running on the channel given its links with the Russian government. Great Ormond Street hospital children’s charity, one of the main RT advertisers according to unofficial Nielsen research supplied to the Guardian by industry sources, expressed dismay at its fundraising ads running on the channel given its links with the Russian government.
Russia, which funds and controls the RT, has faced widespread condemnation and been threatened with sanctions over its role in the bombing of the Syrian city of Aleppo.Russia, which funds and controls the RT, has faced widespread condemnation and been threatened with sanctions over its role in the bombing of the Syrian city of Aleppo.
A spokeswoman for the charity said it was unaware its ads were running on RT before being approached by the Guardian.A spokeswoman for the charity said it was unaware its ads were running on RT before being approached by the Guardian.
“This is of concern to us and we have suspended the relationship with the news channel and have directed them to take the advertisement off air,” the spokeswoman said.“This is of concern to us and we have suspended the relationship with the news channel and have directed them to take the advertisement off air,” the spokeswoman said.
Other RT advertisers revealed in the information passed to the Guardian include the charities Save The Children, Plan International and WWF, along with companies including Finish, Reckitt Benckiser and Procter & Gamble. The international channel’s UK operation received about £750,000 in ad revenue in the year to the end of September , according to Nielsen estimates. Other RT advertisers revealed in the information passed to the Guardian include: Save The Children, Plan International and WWF, along with companies including Finish, Reckitt Benckiser and Procter & Gamble. The international channel’s UK operation received about £750,000 in ad revenue in the year to the end of September, according to Nielsen estimates.
Procter & Gamble, Save the Children, WWF and Plan International did not respond to requests for comment. Neither did Reckitt Benckiser, which is the biggest advertiser on the channel in the last year, advertising 49 brands and accounting for almost 40% of the total TV ad revenue RT UK made, according to unofficial figures. Procter & Gamble, Save the Children, WWF and Plan International did not respond to requests for comment. Reckitt Benckiser, the biggest advertiser on the channel in the last year which advertised 49 brands and accounted for almost 40% of the total TV ad revenue RT UK made, also did not respond to requests for comment.
A senior executive at one UK media agency, responsible for booking advertising campaigns for clients across all media, said he would not associate almost any of his blue chip clients with RT. A senior executive at one UK media agency responsible for booking advertising campaigns for multiple clients said he would not associate almost any of his blue chip clients with RT.
“Russia Today might be viewed as an option by some advertisers who are simply looking for cheap frequency for their ad campaign or for clients looking to drive direct response,” he said. “Outside of that there is no reason to use the station.” “Russia Today might be viewed as an option by some advertisers who are simply looking for cheap frequency for their ad campaign, or for clients looking to drive direct response,” he said. “Outside of that there is no reason to use the station.”
EU leaders from Britain, France and Germany, as well as the US, have looked at sanctions against Russia, which supports the Syrian regime and has been accused of possible war crimes in Aleppo. EU leaders from Britain, France and Germany, as well as the US have looked at sanctions against Russia, which supports the Syrian regime and has been accused of possible war crimes in Aleppo.
On Friday, it emerged that the EU’s three biggest countries backed down on plans to officially warn Russia that individuals and organisations linked to the bombing of Aleppo could face asset freezes and travel bans if the violence continues.On Friday, it emerged that the EU’s three biggest countries backed down on plans to officially warn Russia that individuals and organisations linked to the bombing of Aleppo could face asset freezes and travel bans if the violence continues.
Earlier this week, RT’s editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan, tweeted that NatWest was to shut the broadcaster’s accounts from mid-December. There was initial speculation that the UK government might have ordered this, as part of sanctions against Russia over Aleppo, but the Treasury denied any involvement.Earlier this week, RT’s editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan, tweeted that NatWest was to shut the broadcaster’s accounts from mid-December. There was initial speculation that the UK government might have ordered this, as part of sanctions against Russia over Aleppo, but the Treasury denied any involvement.
We value all our relationships with UK businesses,” said an RT spokeswoman. “The decision of NatWest resulted in an outpouring of support for RT – from UK public figures, NatWest/RBS customers and the wider public.We value all our relationships with UK businesses,” said an RT spokeswoman. “The decision of NatWest resulted in an outpouring of support for RT – from UK public figures, NatWest/RBS customers and the wider public.
“Hundreds of messages we received expressed the appreciation for the principles of free press in the UK, and the need for diversity in the UK news landscape, which are the principles embodied by RT’s motto, Question More. We would be disappointed to learn that any advertiser has seen this matter as a reason to question their association with these principles.” “Hundreds of messages we received expressed the appreciation for the principles of free press in the UK and the need for diversity in the UK news landscape, which are the principles embodied by RT’s motto, Question More. We would be disappointed to learn that any advertiser has seen this matter as a reason to question their association with these principles.”