Saturday, January 24, 2009

"BBC Ban On Gaza Aid Broadcast Sparks Ire"

Thousands of people are holding a protest in London, decrying BBC's refusal to broadcast a charity appeal for war-hit people of Gaza.

The BBC says it has refrained from broadcasting the appeal over concerns that it would conflict with its policy of impartiality as well as reservations about the possibility of efficient aid delivery.

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander on Saturday urged the British network in a written letter to reconsider its decision, saying the BBC argument was weak at best.

"I think the British public can distinguish between support for humanitarian aid and perceived partiality in a conflict," he told BBC radio.

"I really struggle to see, in the face of the immense human suffering in Gaza at the moment, that this is in any way a credible argument."

The ban has sparked fierce criticism from Prime Minister Gordon Brown's government as well as Muslim groups, AFP reported.

Read the rest of the report here.

See also the Guardian report: "ITV and Channel 4 to Air Gaza Appeal as Pressure Mounts on BBC"

2 comments:

Dade Cariaga said...

"The BBC says it has refrained from broadcasting the appeal over concerns that it would conflict with its policy of impartiality as well as reservations about the possibility of efficient aid delivery."

Impartiality? What a load of shit. There's nothing impartial about the reaction of the BBC or of the British government or of the US government. They're all in the tank for you-know-who.

Disgusting.

Thanks, Ridwan.

Ridwan said...

Hey there Dade. I heard that Sky News (Fox) has also joined the BBC in refusing to air the appeal for humanitarian aid.

"Disgusting" is absolutely the best way to describe it all ... in total.

Peace brother,
Ridwan