Don’t be impartial about the victims of militarism January 24, 2009
Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Miscellany , trackbackI love the BBC. Its one of the best things about living in the UK. So I’m sad to see that they have refused to air a film from the Disasters Emergency Committee appealing for donations for aid for the victims of the recent slaughter in Gaza. They should change their decision now.
If you’ve seen those terrible pictures of childrens bodies, or read the heartbreaking stories of people cowering in their homes, there is no way to avoid being moved by this disaster, whatever your beliefs about the rights and wrongs of the causes of Palestine and Israel.
The DEC is a federation of charities including the British Red Cross, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save the Children. Its an eclectic mix, all large, respected charities dedicated towards helping the most vulnerable people in the world. Working together on particular crises they achieve extra visibility and raise more funds. They’re not political, unless you think that helping a child born on the wrong side of a war is political. When they decide to approach the television networks to launch an appeal, their request should be respected. The BBC has often broadcast their appeals in the past, for instance for Darfur.
The reasons given by the BBC are odd. They say they want to ‘ avoid compromising public confidence in its impartiality’. Helping the victims of a military attack isn’t a partial act in the Paletine / Israel controversy. It says nothing about what you believe about the warring parties. It does not imply solidarity with the Palistinian cause, much less with Hamas. Failing to help victims when you can does say something pretty unpleasant though. And I’m sure that’s not the real BBC.
The BBC has made a big mistake, and should change the decision now. The only consolation is that the fact that it’s all over their website and Radio 4 today means this appeal is getting as much publicity as it would if they’d broadcast the film. It’s just a pity that, once again, the BBC comes out looking poorer for it.
There are a few things you can do if you agree with me:
2. Write to the BBC and tell them they should broadcast the appeal
3. Spread the message to friends and encourage them to donate.
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Find out more about British Red Cross work in Gaza at
http://www.redcross.org.uk/TLC.asp?id=90152
or to donate to our appeal go to http://www.redcross.org.uk/gazacrisis