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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Gaza decision up to BBC - Burnham | Gaza decision up to BBC - Burnham |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The BBC is right to make its own judgement over whether to air a charity appeal for aid to Gaza, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has said. | The BBC is right to make its own judgement over whether to air a charity appeal for aid to Gaza, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has said. |
| The corporation has resisted pressure to follow rival channels ITV, Channel 4 and Five who are to show the DEC film. | The corporation has resisted pressure to follow rival channels ITV, Channel 4 and Five who are to show the DEC film. |
| It says it would put its reputation for impartiality at risk, but other ministers and the Archbishop of York have urged the BBC to air the appeal. | It says it would put its reputation for impartiality at risk, but other ministers and the Archbishop of York have urged the BBC to air the appeal. |
| BBC Trust chairman Michael Lyons has voiced fears of political interference. | BBC Trust chairman Michael Lyons has voiced fears of political interference. |
| On Thursday it emerged that the publicly-funded BBC had decided not to broadcast British charities' appeal to raise funds to help thousands in Gaza without food or medicine. | On Thursday it emerged that the publicly-funded BBC had decided not to broadcast British charities' appeal to raise funds to help thousands in Gaza without food or medicine. |
| ITV and Sky had agreed with the BBC, but ITV later reversed its decision. Sky says it is still considering the Disasters Emergency Committee's request. Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza humanitarian appeal: Launched by UK charities on 22 January to raise money for Gaza aid relief and reconstructionParticipants: Action Aid, British Red Cross, Cafod, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World VisionInformation on 0370 60 60 900 or at DEC website Reaction to the BBC's appeal vetoMark Thompson on Gaza appeal href="/1/hi/uk/7849785.stm">Papers critical of BBC over Gaza | |
| Andy Burnham told Sky News: "As the man who does uphold the independence of broadcasters in this country, I think it's right that broadcasters come to their own judgement. | Andy Burnham told Sky News: "As the man who does uphold the independence of broadcasters in this country, I think it's right that broadcasters come to their own judgement. |
| "The fact that Sky are obviously still considering those issues in the balance, it does demonstrate that broadcasters that have an international presence, it's a difficult judgement call for them." | "The fact that Sky are obviously still considering those issues in the balance, it does demonstrate that broadcasters that have an international presence, it's a difficult judgement call for them." |
| He was speaking after a string of politicians including International Secretary Douglas Alexander, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and opposition spokesmen urged the BBC to reconsider its position. | He was speaking after a string of politicians including International Secretary Douglas Alexander, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and opposition spokesmen urged the BBC to reconsider its position. |
| Their comments drew criticism from BBC Trust chairman Michael Lyons who said some were "coming close to constituting undue interference in the editorial independence of the BBC". | Their comments drew criticism from BBC Trust chairman Michael Lyons who said some were "coming close to constituting undue interference in the editorial independence of the BBC". |
| Dr Sentamu remains unconvinced by the BBC's argument about impartiality | Dr Sentamu remains unconvinced by the BBC's argument about impartiality |
| Earlier on Sunday, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg accused the BBC of getting its priorities "upside down". | Earlier on Sunday, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg accused the BBC of getting its priorities "upside down". |
| He told BBC's Andrew Marr show it was an "insult" to the viewing public to suggest they could not distinguish between humanitarian needs and political sensitivities. | He told BBC's Andrew Marr show it was an "insult" to the viewing public to suggest they could not distinguish between humanitarian needs and political sensitivities. |
| So far, more than 50 MPs have backed a Parliamentary motion, to be tabled on Monday, urging the BBC to screen the appeal. | So far, more than 50 MPs have backed a Parliamentary motion, to be tabled on Monday, urging the BBC to screen the appeal. |
| Meanwhile, the BBC has received about 1,000 complaints by telephone and a further 10,000 by e-mail. | Meanwhile, the BBC has received about 1,000 complaints by telephone and a further 10,000 by e-mail. |
| The Church of England has also waded into the row, with the Archbishop of York appealing for the BBC to consider humanity, not impartiality, and show the film. | The Church of England has also waded into the row, with the Archbishop of York appealing for the BBC to consider humanity, not impartiality, and show the film. |
| In a direct appeal to the BBC, Dr John Sentamu said: "Come on Auntie Beeb. Wake up and get on with it." | In a direct appeal to the BBC, Dr John Sentamu said: "Come on Auntie Beeb. Wake up and get on with it." |
| He went on to reject the argument that the BBC could be accused of bias if it were to screen the appeal. | He went on to reject the argument that the BBC could be accused of bias if it were to screen the appeal. |
| "Why would it be taking sides when the appeal is not made by the BBC? It's not made by Hamas, it's not made by Israel, it's simply made by our disaster committee." | "Why would it be taking sides when the appeal is not made by the BBC? It's not made by Hamas, it's not made by Israel, it's simply made by our disaster committee." |
| At a church service in Cambridge, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said he endorsed Dr Setamu's views. | At a church service in Cambridge, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said he endorsed Dr Setamu's views. |
| 'Desperate need' | 'Desperate need' |
| The Charity Commission, which regulates UK charities, echoed calls for the BBC to reconsider, saying the work of the agencies would be hampered without "maximum public support". | The Charity Commission, which regulates UK charities, echoed calls for the BBC to reconsider, saying the work of the agencies would be hampered without "maximum public support". |
| Andrew Hind, the commission's chief executive, said: "Oxfam, Save the Children, Islamic Relief are 100% confident they can convert aid and donations from the public into meaningful help to all those people in desperate need."HAVE YOUR SAYIt is a political appeal because it's focused on one side in this war, and will be used for political purposes.Michael, BrentwoodSend us your comments | Andrew Hind, the commission's chief executive, said: "Oxfam, Save the Children, Islamic Relief are 100% confident they can convert aid and donations from the public into meaningful help to all those people in desperate need."HAVE YOUR SAYIt is a political appeal because it's focused on one side in this war, and will be used for political purposes.Michael, BrentwoodSend us your comments |
| On Saturday, thousands of protesters gathered outside the BBC headquarters in central London, where a petition was handed in calling for the film to be shown. | On Saturday, thousands of protesters gathered outside the BBC headquarters in central London, where a petition was handed in calling for the film to be shown. |
| Later that same day, BBC director general Mark Thompson posted a blog on the BBC website explaining the decision. | Later that same day, BBC director general Mark Thompson posted a blog on the BBC website explaining the decision. |
| He wrote: "Inevitably an appeal would use pictures which are the same or similar to those we would be using in our news programmes but would do so with the objective of encouraging public donations. | He wrote: "Inevitably an appeal would use pictures which are the same or similar to those we would be using in our news programmes 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." | "The danger for the BBC is that this could be interpreted as taking a political stance on an ongoing story." |
| His comments generated hundreds of responses from readers of his blog, as thousands more entered a separate BBC website debate. | His comments generated hundreds of responses from readers of his blog, as thousands more entered a separate BBC website debate. |
| Greg Dyke, Mr Thompson's predecessor as BBC director general, said the issue had put the BBC in a "no-win situation". | Greg Dyke, Mr Thompson's predecessor as BBC director general, said the issue had put the BBC in a "no-win situation". |
| "I can understand why the BBC has taken this decision, because on a subject as sensitive as the Middle East it is absolutely essential that the audience cannot see any evidence at all of bias," he told the Observer. | "I can understand why the BBC has taken this decision, because on a subject as sensitive as the Middle East it is absolutely essential that the audience cannot see any evidence at all of bias," he told the Observer. |
| ITV, Channel 4 and Five will run the appeal for the first time on Monday. | ITV, Channel 4 and Five will run the appeal for the first time on Monday. |