The BBC decision not to air a Gaza appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee on the grounds that doing so might compromise the corp's 'impartiality' is disappointing.
The DEC is non-political - an umbrella organization for 13 aid charities. In its appeal it said the devastation in Gaza was "so huge British aid agencies were compelled to act". DEC chief exec Brendan Gormley: "We are totally apolitical ... this appeal is a response to humanitarian principles. The BBC seems to be confusing impartiality with equal airtime."
The BBC decision has been roundly condemned by senior British politicians and ministers. Criticism has also come from within the BBC itself. A large demo outside the BBC building in London was staged to protest the decision.
Meanwhile broadcasters ITV and Channel 4 have broken ranks and have said they are going to go ahead and broadcast the DEC appeal.
During a recent BBC appearance veteran Brit politician, Tony Benn, ignored the Beeb ruling and launched an appeal anyway... video here.
Benn accused the BBC of "betrayal" of its service obligations. He also said:
"The destruction in Gaza, and the loss of the lives of over a thousand civilians and children, has shocked the world as Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, made clear, when he saw the devastation for himself.
"The human suffering that the people of Gaza have experienced over the last few weeks has appalled people who have seen it for themselves on their television screens.
"To deny the help that the aid agencies and the UN need at this moment in time is incomprehensible and it follows the bias in BBC reporting of this crisis, which has been widely criticised."
If you would like to send a complaint to the BBC over their decision not to carry the DEC appeal, you can do so by linking here.
