This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7848673.stm
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| BBC urged to transmit Gaza appeal | BBC urged to transmit Gaza appeal |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The BBC has again been urged to reconsider its decision not to broadcast a charity appeal for Gaza. | The BBC has again been urged to reconsider its decision not to broadcast a charity appeal for Gaza. |
| International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said it was not too late for a reversal to recognise the "immense human suffering". | International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said it was not too late for a reversal to recognise the "immense human suffering". |
| A protest is to be held outside Broadcasting House in London after the BBC declined to broadcast appeals by the Disasters Emergency Committee. | A protest is to be held outside Broadcasting House in London after the BBC declined to broadcast appeals by the Disasters Emergency Committee. |
| The BBC said it would not compromise its commitment to impartiality. | The BBC said it would not compromise its commitment to impartiality. |
| Mr Alexander said: "I think the British public ... can distinguish between support for humanitarian aid and perceived partiality in a conflict. | Mr Alexander said: "I think the British public ... can distinguish between support for humanitarian aid and perceived partiality in a conflict. |
| "I really struggle to see in the face of the immense human suffering of people in Gaza... that this is in any way a credible argument. | "I really struggle to see in the face of the immense human suffering of people in Gaza... that this is in any way a credible argument. |
| "They still have time to make a different judgement to recognise the immense human suffering." | "They still have time to make a different judgement to recognise the immense human suffering." |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| He also said people may become concerned that the suffering of people in Gaza was not taken as seriously as suffering in other conflicts. | He also said people may become concerned that the suffering of people in Gaza was not taken as seriously as suffering in other conflicts. |
| BBC Director-General Mark Thompson turned down the request to broadcast the appeal, saying it might jeopardise the public's confidence in the BBC's impartiality. | |
| His comments were echoed by the BBC's chief operating officer, Caroline Thomson, who said it is important to take all these decisions very seriously. | |
| She said: "I think what we do for the disaster emergency committee in giving air time for appeals is unique in the BBC... giving time on behalf of a body to appeal for things is a decision that has to be taken very, very carefully. | |
| As far as being impartial is concerned, that's our job Geoffrey DennisCare International BBC defends Gaza decision | As far as being impartial is concerned, that's our job Geoffrey DennisCare International BBC defends Gaza decision |
| "In the case of natural disasters it's straight forward... in the case of man made disasters and wars the issue is much, much more complicated. | |
| "The most important thing we can do for the people who are suffering is carrying on reporting it and we've done exemplary work in reporting the suffering of the people of Gaza. | |
| "If we lose the trust of the audience by appearing, however curious it may seen, to support one side rather than another then we will have lost it for the charities themselves as well as everyone else." | |
| Military action | |
| ITV and Sky have also said they will not show the appeal, with an ITV spokesman saying that no consensus could be reached. | |
| The Disasters Emergency Committee - an umbrella organisation for several major aid charities - said it was disappointed its request to run TV and radio appeals was turned down. | |
| Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza humanitarian appeal: Launched by UK charities on 22 January to raise money for Gaza aid relief and reconstructionParticipants: Action Aid, British Red Cross, Cafod, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World VisionTel: 0370 60 60 900 or go to DEC website | |
| It wanted to raise funds for people in need of food, shelter and medicines as a result of Israel's military action in the Palestinian area. | It wanted to raise funds for people in need of food, shelter and medicines as a result of Israel's military action in the Palestinian area. |
| Geoffrey Dennis, chief executive of the global humanitarian group Care International, said it was not a time for politics. | Geoffrey Dennis, chief executive of the global humanitarian group Care International, said it was not a time for politics. |
| "As far as being impartial is concerned, that's our job... we know exactly what we are doing on the ground, there are a lot of people in real danger at the moment," he said. | "As far as being impartial is concerned, that's our job... we know exactly what we are doing on the ground, there are a lot of people in real danger at the moment," he said. |
| "Fifty per cent of the population in Gaza are under the age of 18, they're not interested in the politics in this, they want to go to school and play football like my son." | "Fifty per cent of the population in Gaza are under the age of 18, they're not interested in the politics in this, they want to go to school and play football like my son." |
| "We don't get involved in the politics, we are saying as all of the major aid agencies in the UK... we need to help these people that are really suffering." | "We don't get involved in the politics, we are saying as all of the major aid agencies in the UK... we need to help these people that are really suffering." |
| Veteran politician Tony Benn, who will speak at the protest at Broadcasting House, said the corporation's position made no sense. | Veteran politician Tony Benn, who will speak at the protest at Broadcasting House, said the corporation's position made no sense. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| He told BBC Radio 4: "There's been an absolute crisis in Gaza, you can't allow the BBC to say if we help people who are dying we are going to be engaged in controversy." | He told BBC Radio 4: "There's been an absolute crisis in Gaza, you can't allow the BBC to say if we help people who are dying we are going to be engaged in controversy." |
| Mr Benn will address the pro-Palestinian rally called by the Stop the War Coalition, and is expected to say the BBC's refusal is a "betrayal" of its obligations. | Mr Benn will address the pro-Palestinian rally called by the Stop the War Coalition, and is expected to say the BBC's refusal is a "betrayal" of its obligations. |
| Following Mr Benn's speech, the demonstrators intend to march to Trafalgar Square via Downing Street. | Following Mr Benn's speech, the demonstrators intend to march to Trafalgar Square via Downing Street. |