The BBC refused to air an appeal from the Disasters Emergency Committee for funds for those affected by the violence in Gaza. Apparently airing an appeal would have been tantamount to taking sides and would tarnish their reputation for impartiality...There are, of course, various responses that could be made to this. The first is that the BBC are quite happy to air an appeal for refugees from the violence in the Congo - apparently it's OK to take sides in Africa!
The second is that the DEC are not asking aunty Beeb to take sides but to help raise money for ordinary people who's homes have been destroyed - who are hungry, homeless or seriously injured. The DEC are not wanting to buy guns for Palestinians (or Israeli's) - as far as I can tell...
Thirdly, I think this is a slap in the face for the 13 member agencies, which include:
- ActionAid
- British Red Cross
- CAFOD
- Care International
- Christian Aid
- Concern
- Help the Aged
- Islamic Relief
- Merlin
- Oxfam
- Save the Children
- Tearfund
- World Vision
These are fairly mainstream development agencies who represent the concerns of ordinary British citizens (of all cultures and world views) who just want to help. It seems a bit harsh for the BBC to dismiss them as political pressure groups...
Of course this has become a rather silly story. Auntie Beeb refused to air the appeal and then proceeded to give the argument coverage in each news bulletin as the main story of the day. I don't think the DEC would have got as much coverage if they'd got what they asked for... If I was a conspiracy theorist I'd think they had a mole in the BBC... or does that sound too much like Spooks?
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