The BBC has officially refused to air an appeal for aid for Gaza from ten international aid groups, including British Red Cross, Oxfam, and Save the Children. The BBC insists that, no matter how crafted, the aid request would undermine its impartiality in covering the conflict. SKY has now joined BBC in the refusal to air any appeal.
Director general Mark Thompson stated “We concluded that we could not broadcast a free-standing appeal, no matter how carefully constructed, without running the risk of reducing public confidence in the BBC’s impartiality in its wider coverage of the story. . . Inevitably an appeal would use pictures which are the same or similar to those we would be using in our news programs but would do so with the objective of encouraging public donations. The danger for the BBC is that this could be interpreted as taking a political stance on an ongoing story.”
I am confused by this position, particularly the “no matter how carefully constructed” statement. I understand the need for requiring a purely charitable appeal without political content. However, I fail to see how an appeal for humanitarian appeal destroys impartiality of a news organization. The company could always add a disclaimer. There is obviously great human suffering and health dangers in Gaza. That should be enough to justify an appeal for charity while preserving impartiality.
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Maybe one reason that the BBC cannot allow this fundraiser is because the BBC is owned by the UK government. If a programme is seen to be taking one side more than another in a current dispute then that could undermine any attempts by the government to work with both parties.
The BBC is not like ABC, NBC etc and as such is responsible to parliament and the population of the UK through them.
Oh yes and this “taking one side over another” doesn’t have to exist in reality, just in the minds of the slighted party.
A statement by an impostor. How curious. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
And yet more of Bron’s silliness. How inane.
My impostor did have a point in that Bron is proving himself quite the troll. So don’t forget, when buying him gifts, the KFC he wants gift cards for is Kentucky Fried Children. Don’t forget, trolls have special dietary requirements. I’m assuming he has his own bridge already.
Fudd,
he is a troll
Buddha:
your insights are to the point. this Bron98 fellow should take a respite from commenting and learn a little something
please lord Buddha tell me my historical transgression?
I must have been on Mars, I thought we did fight the Germans and Japanese in WWII. Oh lord of the universe am I mistaken? I also thought the G & J’s have been good world citizens too after their collective American ass whooping. Am I wrong about that too?
Regards,
gd stupid ass neocon, theocrat, anarchist troll
Feel free to attack me on consistency if you like as well. I won’t even defend that. Because it’s ridiculous. My record stands on it’s own. Take a survey if you like. Without a doubt I am both more consistent and more credible than you with the RIL crowd. You come on back any time you just want to made a fool though. If I don’t oblige you, or your own nature doesn’t assert itself, I’m sure one of the other regulars will be glad to assist.
Although, you did just point out you also know jack squat about history too. Another area of your deficiencies.
Shut it, tool.
Buddha:
you are exactly right even if you dont agree with yourself. the only way to defend against evil is to kick its ass so bad it will think twice before messing with you again, think Germany and Japan. They have been pretty quiet for the last 63 years.
Mike,
I saw that 60 Minutes piece last night and almost cried.
Buddha,
After watching the 60 Minutes report last night, even discounting media incompetence, I find it hard to argue with you.
What I will point out is that the Israeli settlers, who were given most of Israel’s side of the story, were all ultra-orthodox Jews. They mirror Muslim/Christian fundamentalists in using their religious beliefs to justify their awful political views. The only relief from this was the statement from Tzippi Livni, a prospective Prime Minister, to the effect that she believes in land for peace and the Israeli settlers will have to be moved out.
As you might guess, I hold no brief for the Israeli settlers and their biblical claims to the West Bank. Their thinking is beyond stupidity because it offers no practical way to deal with the Arabs in Israel, other than the acceptability of oppression and apartheid. Ultra-Orthodox Jewry is equal to the worst of other religion’s Fundamentalism and has been a plague upon Israel, as much as its’ Christian/Muslim/Hindu counterparts has plagued the rest of the world. My hope is that Livni wins (and is sincere) in the coming election and that the voices of reason in Israel are heard. If not the conflict will continue indefinitely and Israel will become something that its’ founders and supporters never envisioned.