BBC Gaza Appeal
I would like to say that I support the BBC's decision not to screen the DEC Gaza appeal. While I believe Israel's actions are unjustified and the Palestinian civilians need aid, the BBC cannot be seen to take sides in such an internationally significant and politically charged conflict. I also believe that the government has no right to force the broadcast - the government should not be allowed to control the output of the BBC. That becomes a slippery slope to state-run and censored media.
In response to some comments reported in the media that not broadcasting it is taking Israel's side, that is analogous to saying that countries which remained neutral in WWII, such as Ireland, were tacitly supporting the German side, which is clearly nonsense.
Finally, and ironically, the decision not to screen it has resulted in far more publicity for the appeal, and probably far more donations, that showing it once or twice would have. It's now been covered in almost every news bulletin on every channel for the past week or so. I wouldn't have heard about it myself if this hadn't happened.
In response to some comments reported in the media that not broadcasting it is taking Israel's side, that is analogous to saying that countries which remained neutral in WWII, such as Ireland, were tacitly supporting the German side, which is clearly nonsense.
Finally, and ironically, the decision not to screen it has resulted in far more publicity for the appeal, and probably far more donations, that showing it once or twice would have. It's now been covered in almost every news bulletin on every channel for the past week or so. I wouldn't have heard about it myself if this hadn't happened.