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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| BBC Trust backs Thompson on Gaza | BBC Trust backs Thompson on Gaza |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The BBC's director general made "a reasonable decision" in choosing not to show a Gaza fundraising appeal, its governing body has ruled. | The BBC's director general made "a reasonable decision" in choosing not to show a Gaza fundraising appeal, its governing body has ruled. |
| Mark Thompson's decision not to air the TV appeal for aid money after Israel's assault prompted angry protests and 40,000 complaints to the BBC. | Mark Thompson's decision not to air the TV appeal for aid money after Israel's assault prompted angry protests and 40,000 complaints to the BBC. |
| But the BBC Trust said it would not overturn his decision and that he had "acted correctly throughout". | But the BBC Trust said it would not overturn his decision and that he had "acted correctly throughout". |
| He had said the appeal might compromise confidence in its impartiality. | He had said the appeal might compromise confidence in its impartiality. |
| DEC GAZA APPEAL Decision of the BBC Trust [283kb]BBC Trust press release [51kb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | DEC GAZA APPEAL Decision of the BBC Trust [283kb]BBC Trust press release [51kb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| Both the BBC and Sky News had refused to show the appeal made by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) despite aid agencies saying hundreds of thousands of people were "in dire need" of food, blankets and water. | Both the BBC and Sky News had refused to show the appeal made by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) despite aid agencies saying hundreds of thousands of people were "in dire need" of food, blankets and water. |
| The appeal was shown by ITV, Channel 4 and Five. | The appeal was shown by ITV, Channel 4 and Five. |
| As well as complaints made to the BBC, more than 170 MPs signed a motion criticising the stance taken by Sky and the corporation. | As well as complaints made to the BBC, more than 170 MPs signed a motion criticising the stance taken by Sky and the corporation. |
| Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said he and his colleagues recognised that Mr Thompson's decision was "a matter of great controversy for many members of the public". | Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said he and his colleagues recognised that Mr Thompson's decision was "a matter of great controversy for many members of the public". |
| Sir Michael Lyons: 'Our job is not to second guess the Editor in chief' | Sir Michael Lyons: 'Our job is not to second guess the Editor in chief' |
| But the Trust had concluded that decision was "reasonable given the importance of preserving the reputation of the BBC for impartiality". | But the Trust had concluded that decision was "reasonable given the importance of preserving the reputation of the BBC for impartiality". |
| 'Political causes' | 'Political causes' |
| Sir Michael said: "The director general argued that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply divisive and that the suffering of civilians plays a central part in the political case each side makes in the 'court of world opinion'." | Sir Michael said: "The director general argued that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply divisive and that the suffering of civilians plays a central part in the political case each side makes in the 'court of world opinion'." |
| Mr Thompson had consequently thought it "impossible in this case to separate the political causes from the humanitarian consequences", Sir Michael added. | Mr Thompson had consequently thought it "impossible in this case to separate the political causes from the humanitarian consequences", Sir Michael added. |
| In the director general's view, the appeal would, by its very nature, have shown only one aspect of the conflict Sir Michael Lyons "In the director general's view, the appeal would, by its very nature, have shown only one aspect of the conflict and broadcasting it, he argues would have implied a significant level of the endorsement by the BBC of the appeal itself - thereby putting BBC impartiality at risk." | In the director general's view, the appeal would, by its very nature, have shown only one aspect of the conflict Sir Michael Lyons "In the director general's view, the appeal would, by its very nature, have shown only one aspect of the conflict and broadcasting it, he argues would have implied a significant level of the endorsement by the BBC of the appeal itself - thereby putting BBC impartiality at risk." |
| Sir Michael said the Trust had found this to be "a reasonable argument" and that the decision taken was "within the parameters of reasonable decisions open to him". | Sir Michael said the Trust had found this to be "a reasonable argument" and that the decision taken was "within the parameters of reasonable decisions open to him". |
| Judicial review threat | Judicial review threat |
| The Trust said the BBC and other broadcasters should look again at their agreement with the DEC on when appeals should be screened. | |
| It was drawn up in 1971 before the days of 24 hour news channels and the internet, and before the existence of channels like Sky News which broadcast both in the UK and internationally and so have to satisfy different audiences' expectations of impartiality. | |
| The DEC responded to that suggestion with a written statement, | |
| "We respect the BBC's right to decide on whether to broadcast the appeal but we believe it would be unfortunate if the additional hurdle imposed in this specific situation set a precedent for future appeals. | |
| "The three criteria agreed with broadcasters for launching DEC appeals - scale of need, ability of DEC members to deliver aid, and evidence of public support - have stood the test of time." | |
| The BBC's management rejected complaints from members of the public about the decision not to screen the appeal but a number of complainants appealed to the Trust. | |
| They included two residents of Gaza and one person living in the UK who lodged a detailed appeal through law firm Hickman and Rose. | They included two residents of Gaza and one person living in the UK who lodged a detailed appeal through law firm Hickman and Rose. |
| The firm said it was now highly likely it would be applying for judicial review of the decision. | The firm said it was now highly likely it would be applying for judicial review of the decision. |