BBC should broadcast Gaza Appeal

12.08.32am GMT Mon 26th Jan 2009

Stuart Bodsworth the Parliamentary Spokesperson for Stockport has described the BBC's refusal to broadcast the Gaza appeal as "perverse".

"It is a nonsense" Said Stuart Bodsworth "to suggest that broadcasting a humanitarian appeal to relieve the suffering of Gaza residents caught up in the recent war would affect the public's opinion of the BBC's "impartiality" anywhere near as much as their refusal to offer help to ordinary Palestinians has!"

The BBC's decision is morally indefensible. The BBC and other broadcasters was asked to help by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The DEC includes organisations like; The Red Cross, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, Oxfam and Save the Children.

The BBC describes the DEC as "an organisation which unites the leading independent humanitarian agencies in the United Kingdom ... to mount an effective humanitarian response to major disasters oversees."

How can the BBC justify these competing statements from their web site? "DEC Appeals are reserved for major disasters and emergencies ... where DEC members agencies are in a position to respond quickly and effectively. DEC members have to be able to make a difference and be confident that they can spend public donations effectively." Is what the BBC says about previous appeals. But when it comes to the appeal to help the people of Gaza "we decided that in this case we should not broadcast the appeal. One reason was a concern about whether aid raised by the appeal could actually be delivered on the ground." The BBC was willing to accept assurances from the Disasters Emergency Committee when it came to delivering Aid to Goma, Liberia and Sudan. So why is Gaza different?

"The BBC must reconsider whether their decision can truly be seen as impartial. They should join ITV and Channel Four in offering their help to the humanitarian effort. If they continue to delay I call on Stockport's MP to join the calls from Parliament for the BBC to do their bit to reduce the suffering in Gaza."