 selected writing Letter to the BBC about refusing to broadcast the DEC's Gaza Appeal 29 January 2009 Dear BBC,
Even if the borders were 100% sealed, which they were not, do you think the Palestinians in Gaza would not need aid ---say--- in one or two week's time? The sheer scale of the devastation and suffering is hardly going to magically go away in a few days. This argument makes no sense. Additionally, this bizarre rationale by the BBC can do nothing but damage public confidence in the capacity of aid agencies to help. "If aid can't get in, what's the point of donating?". That is the message you are sending. Like it or not, the BBC has taken a position on the war in Gaza. The BBC is not only saying that it will not help the victims, the BBC has put an obstacle in the path of those who are attempting to help the victims. Both positions are unacceptable. The BBC did the same during the summer 2006 Lebanon War. In that war, Israel also massively targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure. When any state is breaching international law in such a way, they are automatically on the wrong side of history. To attempt to address their wrongs by helping their victims is a moral imperative and has nothing to do with taking sides. A humanitarian concern takes the side of humans, not any party to the conflict. Any inaction or obstructing can be fairly said to be taking lives in an area where food and medical supplies are short and civilians are under attack. The BBC has sadly and disturbingly become complicit in that aspect of the conflict. From several reports, your journalists have even been gagged from talking about this issue, which is ludicrous in any free society. The BBC Trust has complained about the motion by MPs about its decision, saying that it represents "editorial interference". I would like to remind the BBC that these members of parliament were elected. Those who run the BBC were not. And in a situation where the BBC is doing something that can fairly be said to endanger human lives, those elected officials who represent license payers are rightly trying to remind you what we feel. Several days ago, the total number of complaints was around 20,000, with a mere 300 writing in support of the BBC decision. How can the BBC not hear that cry of anguish? Broadcasting an advertisement from the DEC* should no longer be a decision that is not taken by the BBC. If you have no editorial control over charity appeals---which you clearly should not---then it can hardly be said to be a conflict of interests when these appeals are broadcast. It is time that this power was taken from your hands. During the Second World War, we were told that the UK and other European nations knew about the Holocaust but did nothing. I always wondered how that could be possibly be true. Sadly, not any longer. Nigel Parry *The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) was formed in 1963 and is an umbrella organisation for 13 humanitarian aid agencies: ActionAid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, and World Vision. At times of overseas emergency, the DEC brings together a unique alliance of the UK's aid, corporate, public and broadcasting sectors to rally the nation's compassion, and ensure that funds raised go to DEC agencies best placed to deliver effective and timely relief to people most in need. COMPLAIN TO THE BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/ In addition the BBC Trust are reviewing the BBC's decision. To contact the Trust as well as filing a general complaint at the link above, write to dec.complaintsappeals@bbc.co.uk PLACES TO DONATE UK Donors: http://www.dec.org.uk/item/200 USA Donors: http://helpUPA.com/news/upa00068.shtml RELATED VIDEOS Above: Tony Benn accuses the BBC ON AIR of capitualating to the Israeli Government by refusing to air an appeal for the Gazan people by the Disaster Emergency Commitee (DEC) he then broadcasts the Address himself much to the consternation of the interviewer! Above: BBC Newsnight ask Chief Operating Officer of the BBC to explain why the corporation seem to think aid won't get into Gaza. Above: Protest against the BBC, ITN report. 
more from this section  • Pittsburgh G-20 Legal Update: Report for Rustbelt Radio (Monday, March 15th, 2010)  • The 2010 Olympics and Repression of Independent Media: Report for Rustbelt Radio (Monday, February 15th, 2010) • Israel & the Goldstone Report: Report for Rustbelt Radio (Monday, February 1st, 2010) • Egypt and Gaza: Report for Rustbelt Radio (Monday, January 18th, 2010) • Press Release: G-20 Summit Leaves Pittsburgh, Questions About Freedom In America In Its Wake (Sunday, September 27th, 2009) • From St. Paul to Pittsburgh: Citizen Media is Not a Crime (Monday, September 21st, 2009) • Why St. Paul City Attorney John Choi is a danger to public safety (Friday, February 20th, 2009) |
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