The K Experience

 

The BBC, throughout the years, have managed to maintain high quality and impartiality and as a result has world wide recognitions as a worthy news source. However, the conflict in Gaza has seemed to show to people a side of the BBC that many didn't think they had...

According to the Guardian, the BBC refused to air an appeal for funds to aid the victims of the attacks in Gaza. For those who are unfamiliar with news broadcast aid appeals in UK media I shall explain. Whenever there is a crisis, world wide or otherwise, such as the Tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2004, or Hurricane Katrina which hit the US in 2005, news stations such as the BBC give free airtime for an appeal for funds.

The refusal to air an appeal angered the UK public who came out onto the streets to protest against the BBC's decision. Prominent figures such as George Gallaway have spoken out harshly against the decision, and politician Tony Benn outright refused to be silenced and made the appeal himself (See both videos below).

The BBC have stated that their decision to not air an appeal was based on impartiality to the conflict and fear that the funds collected would not directly benefit the civilians affected by the conflict. Both reasons seem totally rubbish. Now on this very site, I have shown preference to UK media over US media on grounds of bias and impartiality, amoung other things, and it shames me to find the BBC doing something like this. The refusal by the BBC to air the appeal was seen as an excuse for other stations like ITV and SKY not to air it either. All this means that the relief agencies will not get the funds that they need to help the thousands of people that need food and medical aid.

It seems now however, that the BBC may go back on their initial decision, and may indeed allow a broadcast [Source: Al Jazeera]. Unfortunately the damage has been done. Questions still loom as to why they refused in the first place. Impartiality? Possible diversion of the aid funds? I don't buy any of those reasons. BBC, What is going on?

[Source: Original BBC picture from Dimsum.co.uk]

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