Dear BBC: Disaster Emergency Committee Gaza Crisis charity appeal

If you wish to help the children of Gaza: Disaster Emergency Commitee (DEC) Gaza Crisis PO BOX 999 LONDON EC3A 3AA Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza humanitarian appeal: Launched by UK charities on 22 January to raise money for Gaza aid relief and reconstruction Participants: Action Aid, British Red Cross, Cafod, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision Information on 0370 60 60 900 or at DEC website Make a complaint to BBC Phone: 03700 100 222* Textphone: 03700 100 212* Email: via BBC website Cymru: Cwyno Write: BBC Complaints, PO Box 1922 Glasgow G2 3WT *UK-wide rate charged at no more than 01/02 geographic numbers; calls may be recorded for training. Dear BBC Director General, Mark Thompson, I would like to express my strong objection and disapproval of your decision not to air the DEC charity appeal in aid of the children and civilians of Gaza who are now suffering. You will not air this appeal because you believe it would jeopardise the impartiality of the BBC. At best your decision is irrational and at worst it is politically motivated. The BBC like any other broadcaster airs materials containing a wide spectrum of subject matter to inform and entertain often teetering on glorifying violence and whatever else. This does not mean that the BBC approves or disapproves or endorses particular opinions, lifestyles or actions portrayed in the materials broadcasted. The BBC simply caters for a wide spectrum of audiences and tastes. When it comes to news - everyone appreciates that the BBC must not just be impartial - it must also appear to be impartial in setting the news agenda and reporting the news. The BBC cannot be seen to be taking sides. But as mentioned already, the BBC does not just broadcast news and nobody is asking you to interrupt your news schedule and broadcast this appeal. The aftermath of the attack on Gaza is beyond politics or taking sides - it is about the humanitarian needs of a people. If there are thousands of people in need of medical assistance and shelter - which you have reported to be true - how can you say it would jeopardise the BBCs impartiality if it were to air an appeal to reduce this suffering? In essence you will not air an appeal because the news surrounding the appeal is by its nature and not the way it was reported is critical of Israel. Lets suppose for a moment that we lived in a world where the BBC had a monopoly on broadcasting. The only way for the charity appeal to reach the public was the BBC - would you not air the appeal because it would jeopardise your impartiality? Now lets suppose the BBC is one broadcaster out of many and the BBC is the only one or a small minority of broadcasters that refused to air the charity appeal. Clearly you would appear to be completely out of touch, lacking judgement and at worst acting under a political master. You cannot say as a matter of principle this charity appeal cannot be aired on the BBC - the BBC is not just a News broadcaster. However in either of the above scenarios you can decline to air the appeal on the ground of impartiality if the charity appeal is anything other than a charity appeal I.E the appeal is designed to achieve certain political aims. This clearly is not the case. There has been protests by the public and a petition by a hundred Mps against your decision. You are beginning to look silly. I loath this decision as I would loathe to see a day when the BBC bans a screening of Schindlers List on the ground of impartiality. The charity appeal is stating a truth - that children are hurt and in distress. They need our help. Whats wrong with reporting this truth? Come on BBC! May the BBC continue to report news and current affairs impartially even if the news event is critical of some person or state.