// By Leigh Holmwood The BBC is facing a growing revolt from its own journalists over its decision not to broadcast the Gaza humanitarian aid appeal, with sources reporting “widespread disgust” within its newsrooms. BBC staff have said they have been [...] Related posts:
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BBC staff protest over decision not to show Gaza aid appeal

on January 26, 2009 6:55 pm / 4 comments

 

By Leigh Holmwood

The BBC is facing a growing revolt from its own journalists over its decision not to broadcast the Gaza humanitarian aid appeal, with sources reporting “widespread disgust” within its newsrooms.

BBC staff have said they have been told they face the sack if they speak out on the issue and MediaGuardian.co.uk understands that corporation journalists will tomorrow vote on a resolution put forward by the National Union of Journalists condemning the move.

Sources have said there was “fury” at the BBC News morning meeting today about the decision, with news editors saying they had not been consulted on the move to not show the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal, which is to be broadcast tonight on ITV, Channel 4 and Channel Five.

The NUJ and fellow broadcasting union Bectu both passed motions over the weekend condemning the BBC’s decision. NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear and his counterpart at Bectu, Gerry Morrissey, will also today send a letter to BBC director general Mark Thompson asking him to review it.

Tomorrow the main NUJ chapel at BBC Television Centre will also meet, with staff expected to condemn the decision.

“Feelings are running extremely high and there is widespread disgust at the BBC’s top management,” one BBC News source said. “There is widespread anger and frustration at the BBC’s refusal to allow people to speak out about it.”

 

An NUJ source added: “It is the BBC’s decision and we respect the independence of that, but we think they have got it wrong and should review it.”

Thompson has said the corporation will not screen the DEC appeal because it could harm the BBC’s impartiality on the Gaza conflict.

BBC management have said they will not change their mind on the issue and were backed by Sky News today when the satellite broadcaster also said it would not air the film.

 

The two-minute appeal is currently being edited by ITN and will be shown on ITV1 tonight before the main news at about 6.25pm, before being broadcast on the other channels.

Sources within the BBC have questioned whether its internal Balen report into its Middle East coverage, which the corporation has refused to publish, has influenced its decision on the DEC appeal. An appeal to the House of Lords to force the BBC to publish the report is currently ongoing.

 

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  • http://www.HitEnter.Co.Uk Rob

    It is rather ironic that the BBC will ask viewers to vote on which overpaid celebrity can dance the best, skate the best, sing the best, and cook the best, but when it comes to helping starving and mutilated children they look the other way, no doubt under pain of death from the Zionist influences that pervade within the media and the establishment at large. The public will judge the BBC by this decision, and to anyone who knows the full facts surrounding Israel, the Gaza strip, the UK Governments participation in the history of the area since WW2, this decision will come as no surprise at all.

  • swis

    This has created nothing but more HATRED against west.

  • swis

    Please refer to the links below to unravel the reason for BBC Director Mark Thompson’s decision of not allowing Gaza Charity Appeal. (A point to note is that Mark Thompson’s wife is an active jew)

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/…

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/ar…

    Please make complaint to BBC for this decision at

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/complaints_stage1…

  • alan

    If these "zionist influences" pervade the media and the establishment at large Rob, then how come the appeal was screened on ITV and channels 4 and 5? And would I be right in thinking that everything you said about the BBC for not screening the appeal applies to Sky also?

    Anyway, how about this for impartial reporting:

    'THE BBC won't screen a charity appeal for bomb-torn Gaza's children in case it is accused of pro-Palestinian bias.The uproar is as loud as it is justified.

    This appeal is not for Hamas terrorists, it is for terribly wounded civilians.

    The Beeb is so desperate to avoid offending anyone that it ends up offending EVERYONE – just as it did over Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand. Humiliatingly, they caved in. It was too late then – and it will be too late again when they capitulate on Gaza.'

    Trevor Kavanagh (Political Editor of The Sun) in The Sun on 26.01.2009

    He doesn't mention Sky….I wonder why not!

    And the following is what Kavanagh said in The Sun on 10.07.2006:

    'The liberal media's anti-Semitism is hard-wired. The BBC, for instance, is invariably pro-Arab and hostile to all things Israel.'

    Kavanagh – the Sun, that is – attacks the BBC for not screening the appeal, but on the same day The Sun also published the following article about Sky's decision not to run the appeal:

    'SKY News announced today that it was joining the BBC in refusing to broadcast an emergency appeal for Gaza.

    The broadcaster said in a statement it had informed the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation for 13 humanitarian aid agencies, of its decision.

    John Ryley, head of Sky News, said: "The conflict in Gaza forms part of one of the most challenging and contentious stories for any news organisation to cover."'

    No attack there then…..I wonder why not.