BBC refuse to broadcast appeal for humanitarian aid to gaza

[claphamboy]

I'm not defending Israels collective punishment via airstrikes but Hamas have just broken the ceasefire, shooting and killing 3 soldiers, just when Mitchell was coming to do some serious peace brokering, why did they do that?

Do you have a link to the claim that Hamas has done this?

BTW - according to the BBC - Israel has continued with artillery and naval fire against Gaza targets since the 'ceasefires' were announced anyway - what do you have to say about that?

BBC report

 

[In Bloom]

Just got this in reply to my BBC complaint:

Thank you for your e-mail.

We note your disappointment at our decision not to broadcast an appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee to raise funds for Gaza.

We decided not to broadcast the DEC's public appeal because we wished to avoid any risk of compromising public confidence in the BBC's impartiality in the context of covering a continuing news story where issues of responsibility for civilian suffering and distress are intrinsic to the story and remain highly contentious. We also could not be confident that the aid resulting from audience donations could reach those it was intended for at a time of a fragile ceasefire and sporadic border access. We will of course continue to report the humanitarian story in Gaza.

The BBC's director-general Mark Thompson has therefore explained the decision in more detail in a number of television and radio broadcasts and online at our Editors' blog. Please follow the link to read his explanation in full:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2009/01/bbc_and_the_gaza_appeal.html



Please be assured that we have registered your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Regards

BBC Complaints

Presumably, everybody else got a similar reply, but it's worth noting that despite having been publically shown to be wrong on the issue of where aid will go, they continue to use it as an excuse.

 

[belboid]

I'm not defending Israels collective punishment via airstrikes but Hamas have just broken the ceasefire, shooting and killing 3 soldiers, just when Mitchell was coming to do some serious peace brokering, why did they do that?

It was one soldier not three.

I haven't seen a single report saying it was Hamas, they all say 'Palestinian militants'

The IDF have continued there attacks, and blocking of aid convoys.

Why did they do that?

 

[nino_savatte]

Just got this in reply to my BBC complaint:

Presumably, everybody else got a similar reply, but it's worth noting that despite having been publically shown to be wrong on the issue of where aid will go, they continue to use it as an excuse.

I got one of these this morning and I immediately fired off a reply.

Thank you for your reply,
Unfortunately for you I am not convinced by your excuses and apologies. Claiming that you "don't whether the aid will get through" is one of the worst thought-out excuses that I have ever heard. Furthermore, your constant retreat into "impartiality" doesn't cut any ice either, given your willingness to accept Israeli state propaganda as fact rather militates against this notion. Indeed, you have changed your story more than once since announcing your intention not to broadcast the appeal.

Please do not delude yourselves into thinking that you are impartial, you are not. The BBC is using impartiality as a fig leaf as a cover for its wrongheaded decision making, which is informed by its new, cosy relationship with Israel. I already know about the Director General's visit to meet the then Israeli PM, Ariel Sharon (a man who has plenty of blood on his hands) in 2005. If you think that the BBC is impartial after this little episode then you are deluding yourselves and lying to the public.

As for Mr Thompson's 'explanation', I have already read this and concluded that he is trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Please don't think that all your viewers and listeners are going to accept your words at face value. If you think that these mealy-mouthed words are going to let you 'off the hook', think again. We are not as stupid as you think. How dare you insult our intelligence? Shame on you.
Regards,
nino_savatte

It was bounced back, so I sent it via the complaints form and I intend to send it by letter as well.

 

[belboid]

Just got this in reply to my BBC complaint:

Presumably, everybody else got a similar reply, but it's worth noting that despite having been publically shown to be wrong on the issue of where aid will go, they continue to use it as an excuse.

I got a reply at two this morning. Mine came from the complaints department, whereas mrs b's came from Point of view, despite both complaints being sent to the same place.

 

[danny la rouge]

Number of complaints now at over 21, 000 as of last night, and £1 million raised by appeal.

Guardian.

(So, that's one in the eye for the numpties on BBC "speek ure branes" who say the complainers would be better off donating).

 

[TheDave]

Number of complaints now at over 21, 000 as of last night, and £1 million raised by appeal.

Guardian.

(So, that's one in the eye for the numpties on BBC "speek ure branes" who say the complainers would be better off donating).

The BBC is also being threatened with a lawsuit alleging its decision to ban the charity appeal for Gaza from its airwaves was discriminatory, the Guardian has learned. The case is being brought on behalf of 42 people who say they were offended by the corporation's decision.

They will argue that the ban discriminated against the Palestinian people because the BBC refused to allow a charity appeal for them to be broadcast, but did allow appeals for other ethnic or national groups, such as those affected by the conflicts that plagued Darfur and Kosovo. Solicitor Lawrence Davies said: "The decision not to broadcast it is tainted by racism, it is anti-Palestinian."

Good on them. It is wholly discriminatory for them to show appeals for other conflicts but not this one. I hope this goes to court.

 

[rocketman]

Where does money given to this DEC organisation go?
If it was the UNHCR, I'd know it went to feed, treat and shelter these poor victims of Israeli military aggression.

 

[danny la rouge]

Where does money given to this DEC organisation go?
If it was the UNHCR, I'd know it went to feed, treat and shelter these poor victims of Israeli military aggression.

http://www.dec.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?ap=1&id=320

DEC agencies include Red Cross, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Save the Children. See the DEC website.

 

[rocketman]

http://www.dec.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?ap=1&id=320

DEC agencies include Red Cross, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Save the Children. See the DEC website.

Which of these operate in the region? See, I know the UN does.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

Which of these operate in the region? See, I know the UN does.

I imagine some do at the moment and some others will with funds from the appeal.

I'm not sure I quite get your point here - if you donate money to DEC for a Gaza appeal I think it quite likely that it will go to relief efforts in Gaza. They're not going to spend it on sweets or something.

 

[claphamboy]

Which of these operate in the region? See, I know the UN does.

Not sure exactly how many of the 13 charities that are part of this DEC are operating on the ground in Gaza, but the DEC board will ensure the money goes to those members best placed to deliver the aid.

At times of overseas emergency, the DEC brings together a unique alliance of the UK's aid, corporate, public and broadcasting sectors to rally the nation's compassion, and ensure that funds raised go to DEC agencies best placed to deliver effective and timely relief to people most in need.

Transparency and accountability are the watchwords for our activities. The DEC trustees review how our members spend the money you donated, with results published on our website.

http://www.dec.org.uk/who_we_are/

 

[claphamboy]

Looking on the following DEC members websites:

The Red Cross, Oxfam & Save the Children are all running their own appeals and have staff on the ground.

Help the Aged is just directing people to the main DEC appeal site, and don’t appear to be operating on the ground themselves.

Can’t be arse to check all of them.

 

[frogwoman]

i just noticed that one of the posters on this thread is "rocketman"

might want to think about pming the mods for a name change dude, don't want Mossad or the IDF getting ideas

 

[mauvais]

The head of the UN"s nuclear watchdog has cancelled planned interviews with the BBC in protest at the corporation's decision not to air an emergency appeal for Gaza on behalf of the Disasters Emergency Committee.In a statement to the Guardian, Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel peace prize winner, unleashed a stinging denunciation of the BBC, deepening the damage already caused by the controversy.

 

[frogwoman]

they're really fucked over this

 

[nino_savatte]

Good.

 

[claphamboy]

There's also a group of actors vowing to boycott the BBC.

A GROUP of actors including Peter Mullan and Samantha Morton have said they will never work for the BBC again, unless it agrees to screen an appeal for the Disasters Emergency Committee aimed at helping the people of Gaza.
The BBC has been engulfed in a storm of criticism since it decided not to screen the DEC appeal, with director general Mark Thomson saying it would jeopardise the BBC's impartiality. The corporation's Scottish headquarters in Glasgow were targeted by protestors yesterday.

Now, in an open letter to Mr Thomson, the group, including Tam Dean Burn, Pauline Goldsmith and Alison Peebles said: "we will never work for the BBC again unless this decision is reversed. We will urge others to do likewise."

http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Actors-vow-to-boycott-BBC.4915507.jp

 

[danny la rouge]

I'm not sure I quite get your point here - if you donate money to DEC for a Gaza appeal I think it quite likely that it will go to relief efforts in Gaza. They're not going to spend it on sweets or something.