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/7853714.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
More MPs pressure BBC to air film More MPs pressure BBC to air film
(about 2 hours later)
More than 120 MPs from all parties have now backed motions criticising the BBC and Sky for not broadcasting a plea for humanitarian aid funding for Gaza.More than 120 MPs from all parties have now backed motions criticising the BBC and Sky for not broadcasting a plea for humanitarian aid funding for Gaza.
Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) doubled to £1m after ITV, Channel 4 and Five showed its Gaza Crisis Appeal on Monday.Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) doubled to £1m after ITV, Channel 4 and Five showed its Gaza Crisis Appeal on Monday.
The BBC says airing the three-minute film would risk impartiality.The BBC says airing the three-minute film would risk impartiality.
But many MPs have rejected the argument with Labour MP Martin Linton calling it an "outrageous" decision.But many MPs have rejected the argument with Labour MP Martin Linton calling it an "outrageous" decision.
His fellow Labour MP Richard Burden tabled one Early Day Motion - used by MPs to demonstrate parliamentary support for particular causes - after Sky announced it was joining the BBC in refusing to show the appeal.His fellow Labour MP Richard Burden tabled one Early Day Motion - used by MPs to demonstrate parliamentary support for particular causes - after Sky announced it was joining the BBC in refusing to show the appeal.
'Unacceptable irrelevance''Unacceptable irrelevance'
John Ryley, head of Sky News, said broadcasting the film would be "incompatible" with its objective role.John Ryley, head of Sky News, said broadcasting the film would be "incompatible" with its objective role.
This echoed BBC director general Mark Thompson's concern that the corporation should not give the impression it was "backing one side" over the other.This echoed BBC director general Mark Thompson's concern that the corporation should not give the impression it was "backing one side" over the other.
But Mr Burden said such arguments had been shown to be "more unconvincing and contradictory as time has gone on". PREVIOUS DEC REFUSALS East Africa 2006: Famine appeal rejected by BBC because of difficulties of accessLebanon 2006: BBC refused to air appeal for Israel-Hezbollah conflict victims on grounds of impartialityBurma 2008: Appeal was only broadcast once BBC was satisfied aid would reach victims class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5959&edition=1">Send your comments But Mr Burden said such arguments had been shown to be "more unconvincing and contradictory as time has gone on".
Another motion calls on "Sky and the BBC to reverse their decision and broadcast the campaign, publicising the details of the DEC appeal and the means whereby members of the public may donate to it". "The BBC has had no difficulty in broadcasting appeals for war zones like Congo and Darfur. Maintaining the BBC's proud tradition of impartiality means it should treat Gaza no differently," he added. PREVIOUS DEC DECISIONS DR Congo 2008: Appeal ran as fighting was internal and people on both sides of the conflict were affectedBurma 2008: Appeal was only broadcast once BBC was satisfied aid would reach victimsDarfur 2007: Appeal ran as the situation had deteriorated since a previous appeal for Sudan 2004 and it was considered a follow-upEast Africa 2006: Famine appeal rejected by BBC because of difficulties of accessLebanon 2006: BBC refused to air appeal for Israel-Hezbollah conflict victims on grounds of impartialityLebanon 1982: Appeal was run class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5959&edition=1">Send your comments
The BBC said every appeal is considered on individual circumstances.
A spokeswoman said fighting was internal in the Democratic Republic of Congo and affected people on both sides, while the 2007 Darfur appeal was run in the public interest as a follow-up to a previous DEC appeal for Sudan in 2004.
Another motion tabled calls on "Sky and the BBC to reverse their decision and broadcast the campaign, publicising the details of the DEC appeal and the means whereby members of the public may donate to it".
Several Labour MPs have spoken out against the BBC's decision including Labour's Michael Connarty who said it has "brought the BBC into a position of unacceptable irrelevance to the people of this country".Several Labour MPs have spoken out against the BBC's decision including Labour's Michael Connarty who said it has "brought the BBC into a position of unacceptable irrelevance to the people of this country".
He added that the corporation has been "run by idiots for the last decade".He added that the corporation has been "run by idiots for the last decade".
The corporation has also come under fire from archbishops, government ministers, charity leaders and thousands of viewers.The corporation has also come under fire from archbishops, government ministers, charity leaders and thousands of viewers.
On Monday night, demonstrators staged a protest outside Broadcasting House in central London.On Monday night, demonstrators staged a protest outside Broadcasting House in central London.
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 VisionInformation on 0370 60 60 900 or at DEC website Mark Thompson on Gaza appealThe humanitarian battleBBC Gaza appeal row reactionDisasters 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 VisionInformation on 0370 60 60 900 or at DEC website Mark Thompson on Gaza appealThe humanitarian battleBBC Gaza appeal row reaction
The Disasters Emergency Committee, which represents more than a dozen aid agencies, is appealing for money to buy food, medicine and blankets following the Israeli assault on Gaza.The Disasters Emergency Committee, which represents more than a dozen aid agencies, is appealing for money to buy food, medicine and blankets following the Israeli assault on Gaza.
Its chief executive Brendan Gormley said he was delighted by the public response to the appeal shown on Monday, but urged for more people to give what they could afford.Its chief executive Brendan Gormley said he was delighted by the public response to the appeal shown on Monday, but urged for more people to give what they could afford.
"All the money raised will go directly to helping innocent families in Gaza who have been left without basic everyday necessities that we take for granted such as food, shelter and healthcare," he added."All the money raised will go directly to helping innocent families in Gaza who have been left without basic everyday necessities that we take for granted such as food, shelter and healthcare," he added.
The UN Relief and Works Agency, the largest humanitarian organisation working in Gaza, said there was a "huge and overwhelming need" for aid.The UN Relief and Works Agency, the largest humanitarian organisation working in Gaza, said there was a "huge and overwhelming need" for aid.
It described the situation as a "political crisis with grave humanitarian consequences" and estimated the cost of "rehabilitation and repair" at $345m (£257m), with two-thirds currently unfunded.It described the situation as a "political crisis with grave humanitarian consequences" and estimated the cost of "rehabilitation and repair" at $345m (£257m), with two-thirds currently unfunded.
Over the weekend, a string of politicians, including International Secretary Douglas Alexander, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and opposition spokesmen, urged the corporation to reconsider its position.Over the weekend, a string of politicians, including International Secretary Douglas Alexander, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and opposition spokesmen, urged the corporation to reconsider its position.
Their comments drew criticism from BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons who said some were "coming close to constituting undue interference in the editorial independence of the BBC".Their comments drew criticism from BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons who said some were "coming close to constituting undue interference in the editorial independence of the BBC".