LONDON - Emotional criticism of the BBC over its refusal to air a charity appeal for the people of Gaza has intensified as more legislators demanded the BBC change course.
More than 110 British politicians have endorsed motions criticising the BBC's decision to keep the Gaza appeal off the air, said MP Richard Burden.
Some 35 MPs met BBC director-general Mark Thompson but failed to convince him that the charity appeal must be broadcast, said MP Jeremy Corbyn.
"Thompson was very bullish and very repetitive, saying they couldn't broadcast the appeal and still be impartial, which I see as nonsense," Corbyn said. "He also said they couldn't be sure the aid would get through, which was contradicted by the United Nations."
There were signs that the controversial appeal is succeeding even though Britain's two major broadcasters - the publicly funded BBC and Rupert Murdoch's Sky News - have said they would not allow it to be shown on their networks.
The broadcasters say they cannot try to raise money for Palestinians in Gaza without compromising their journalistic impartiality.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10554017&ref=rssUnderstandably - if they were to have a fundraising venture the money must be held by a reputable organisation and only goods and services provided, that way people can be ensured the money isnt going directly to arms, which I think is the biggest concern.
