Woolas’s anger over BBC’s decision
Date published: 26 January 2009
AN Oldham MP has slammed the BBC over its decision not to screen an appeal to raise emergency funds for Gaza.
Phil Woolas who, as a fundraiser for War On Want raised cash for the West Bank and Gaza, told BBC director general Mark Thompson that he and many Oldhamers were disgusted by the decision.
The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP and former BBC producer said: “I cannot tell you how angry I am about this and many of my constituents support me.
“The appeal has the backing of a wide spectrum of charities and is entirely humanitarian.
“Virtually all DEC (Disaster Emergency Committee) appeals come about because of, or are hindered by, conflict. To block this sets an appalling precedent.”
The call comes as ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 on Saturday announced they would screen an appeal to raise emergency funds, but Sky News is following the BBC’s lead and has refused.
More than 5,000 people protested across London at the weekend as the BBC came under increased pressure from Government to reverse its decision.
The BBC refused to broadcast the humanitarian appeal on the grounds that it did not want to risk public confidence in its impartiality.
Douglas Alexander, secretary of state for international development, has also called on the BBC to re-think.
He said the public would be “shocked and angered” at the BBC’s position that its perceived impartiality was more in important than the suffering of the people of Gaza.
BBC boss Mr Thompson, in a letter to Mr Alexander, said: “After consultation with senior news editors, we concluded that to broadcast a free-standing appeal, no matter how carefully couched, ran the risk of calling into question the public’s confidence in the BBC’s impartiality.
“We will continue to broadcast news about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We cannot, however, broadcast anything which we believe might compromise the impartiality of the BBC’s journalism.”
A motion condemning the BBC’s refusal to broadcast the TV and radio appeal is set to be tabled in Parliament today.
