Action-Alerts

UPDATE! Protest BBC’s Refusal to Air DEC Gaza Appeal Broadcast

Published

January 25, 2009

Abu Reem

Update: See Video below from DEC

DIGG | REDDIT | Stumbleupon (You know what to do)

Amazing isn’t it how the BBC fell from being a trusted voice in the Middle-East conflict to another American MSM type media outlet ala NY Times or CNN. The following action is something that can definitely help the cause because BBC has been constantly reporting how they are under “pressure”. LET’S PRESS IT HARDER!

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While you are at it, DONATE to DEC (Disastors Emergency Committee) and turn this situation around against those who are trying to suppress DEC’s funding for Gaza!

Urgent request (H/T Palestinian Mothers) that everyone join the UK government’s protest: Complain NOW to the BBC.

The following is an email distributed by Stop the War (follow links for more on this story):

Stop the War understands that the government has contacted the BBC to complain about its decision to refuse the broadcasting of a humanitarian appeal for Gaza.

The BBC’s decision will prevent the raising of millions of pounds in emergency aid being sent to Gaza. Stop the War is demanding that the exchange between the government and the BBC be made public immediately.

The BBC says it is blocking the emergency appeal “to avoid any risk of compromising public confidence in the BBC’s “impartiality”, as if this has anything to do with humanitarian aid for a devastated people. Either they need the aid or they do not.

This is the first time in the 48 years of similar national appeals for humanitarian aid that a broadcast has been refused. It is estimated that £10 million of urgently required aid will not now be sent to help Palestinians in Gaza, living in catastrophic conditions.

“This is a betrayal of the BBC’s obligation to be a public service,” said Tony Benn, President of Stop the War. “To deny the help that the aid agencies and the UN need is incomprehensible.”

It is imperative that the BBC responds to the government’s complaint and reverses its decision to refuse this broadcast. If it does not, we will see people in Gaza continue to suffer due to being denied emergency relief because of BBC “impartiality” .

Stop the War urges all its supporters to complain to the BBC. We must mobilise all the pressure we can to get the BBC to reverse its decision.

TO COMPLAIN TO THE BBC
PHONE: 03700 100 222
TEXT: 03700 100 212
ONLINE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/

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Related Topics:BBC DEC Gaza massacre

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Abu Reem

Abu Reem is one of the founders of MuslimMatters, Inc. His identity is shaped by his religion (Islam), place of birth (Pakistan), and nationality (American). By education, he is a ChemE, topped off with an MBA from Wharton. He has been involved with Texas Dawah, Clear Lake Islamic Center and MSA. His interests include politics, cricket, and media interactions. Career-wise, Abu Reem is in management in the oil & gas industry (but one who still appreciates the "green revolution").

24 Comments

Amad

January 25, 2009 at 2:40 AM

Complaint filed online:

I cannot believe that BBC is refusing to air an appeal for “AID” to reconstruct the lives and the livelihood of human beings in Gaza. Since when did aid become a political decision?

It is amazing how far BBC has fallen, from being a light in the media, to just another CNN that is spoofed Israeli propaganda, and now refuses to even air a charity appeal.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON YOU.

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Ibn Abu Aisha

January 25, 2009 at 3:41 AM

Complaint Sent. So saddening. Subhan-Allah when all sides seem to be closing-in on Muslims, our Iman soars even higher Insha Allah and truly in Allah alone let the believers put their trust – Surah Ibraheem, Ayah 12: “And why should we not put our trust in Allah while He indeed has guided us our ways. And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allah (Alone) let those who trust, put their trust.”

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Amad

January 25, 2009 at 3:59 AM

Check the DIGG/Reddit links at the top of the post.

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abu abdAllah, the Houstonian

January 25, 2009 at 9:40 AM

bismillah. dugg with comment.

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Mohammed

January 25, 2009 at 11:14 AM

I am astonished from BBC behavior.I it was one of my favorite radio station for the past 20 years ,from now i hate you BBC I will not be ready to hear you any more.Shame on you……………………….. .

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Pingback: Tony Benn to BBC, “People will die because of the BBC decision” | MR's Blog
abusifr

January 25, 2009 at 12:36 PM

i respect this man – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E21MdXe3BOQ. may Allah guide him to islam. ameen.

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Ahsan Sayed

January 25, 2009 at 1:04 PM

complaint sent.

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Zaynab

January 25, 2009 at 1:46 PM

complaint sent

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Abd- Allah

January 25, 2009 at 4:31 PM

May I suggest that when you send in your complaint, do not bash them with negative criticism (which they deserve, no doubt), but be gentle and positive in your suggestions, as the prophet peace be upon him said that Allah is gentle and He loves gentleness, and He gives with gentleness what He doesn’t give with agression or anything else (Sahih Muslim). Although sometimes we get carried away by our emotions, it is always beneficial to remember to be gentle, firm but gentle.
May Allah forgive us all for our sins and shortcomings.

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Amad

January 25, 2009 at 6:38 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/25/bbc-gaza-palestinians-appeal

This cowardly decision betrays the values the corporation stands for

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Manas Shaikh

January 25, 2009 at 6:38 PM

This is what I wrote:

Re: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7849616.stm “Director general Mark Thompson has said by airing the appeal the BBC would risk reducing public confidence in its impartial coverage of the conflict. ” Don’t you realize that it is partiality to block the urge for help? Don’t you realize that if Israel were to be hit comparably, DEC will give aid to Israel as well? Please stop all this nonsense, and help those who need help. It doesn’t matter if they are Gazans or Israelis.

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Manas Shaikh

January 25, 2009 at 6:40 PM

Please move to Al Jazeera guys. That’s the best mainstream media we’ve got.

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Amad

January 25, 2009 at 6:43 PM

Meanwhile, the BBC has received about 1,000 complaints by telephone and a further 10,000 by e-mail.

Source: Gaza decision up to BBC – Burnham (hypocrite)

Only 10,000?? I don’t believe that… but still shows that they are feeling heat….keep it coming!

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Manas Shaikh

January 25, 2009 at 6:44 PM

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/01/2009125185514535196.html

Look at the size of the rally. Alhamdulillah!

I went to a rally, pro-Israeli hawks were outnumbered by us by about 3-1. Yet, the newspapers reported their numbers. But not ours. But Allah is watching.

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DrM

January 25, 2009 at 6:54 PM

What a surprise.

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Richard Bowser

January 25, 2009 at 10:05 PM

As Salam Aliakum

InshaAllah, they will realize they have made a serious mistake.

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- Amad
  
  January 25, 2009 at 10:34 PM
  
  Richard, good to hear from you… its been a while. I hope you are right and they will back down from their stubbornness which is only hurting them at this time.
  
  Reply
Zeeshan Khan

January 26, 2009 at 4:07 AM

Shame on BBC. Don’t ever watch BBC

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H

January 26, 2009 at 7:41 AM

This makes me feel physically sick. If anyone had any doubt about the power of the Israeli lobby then I believe your doubts would be shattered. By the way the BBC are not the only group to not show this, Sky are not showing it either but that comes as less of a shock.

At the moment unfortunately it does not look like the BBC are going to back down.

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mulsimah

January 26, 2009 at 5:47 PM

-Edited. Moved to new post. Jak

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abu abdAllah, the Houstonian

January 27, 2009 at 1:57 AM

bismillah. is that video the appeal that the BBC refused to run?

SubhanAllah.

may Allah increase the reward for every person who gives in this time of need. if you are like me, and here in the US, i suggest you consider that your bank may charge you to convert your donation from dollars to pounds if you use the BT link (same bank URL, by the way, whether you go from here, or via the DEC site).

if the fee would be comparable to your donation — consider sending your money through one of the DEC members, Islamic Relief, through its US branch: https://www.irw.org/donate_now/

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amad

January 28, 2009 at 7:04 PM

BBC’s lame response… I request that everyone who gets this response, go back to http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints and tell them that you are going to take BBC off your bookmarks, and will avoid this channel to the extent possible…

This is my message I already sent: “Got the email on the lame explanation about BBC not airing the DEC ad for Gaza. Here’s my response: Bye-bye BBC. You are you are officially off my bookmarks, and you are officially of my list of news sites I read regularly. And I’ll be sure to spread this word of mouth.

Thank you for your e-mail.

We note your disappointment at our decision not to broadcast an appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee to raise funds for Gaza.

We decided not to broadcast the DEC’s public appeal because we wished to avoid any risk of compromising public confidence in the BBC’s impartiality in the context of covering a continuing news story where issues of responsibility for civilian suffering and distress are intrinsic to the story and remain highly contentious. We also could not be confident that the aid resulting from audience donations could reach those it was intended for at a time of a fragile ceasefire and sporadic border access. We will of course continue to report the humanitarian story in Gaza.

The BBC’s director-general Mark Thompson has therefore explained the decision in more detail in a number of television and radio broadcasts and online at our Editors’ blog. Please follow the link to read his explanation in full:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2009/01/bbc_and_the_gaza_appeal.html

Please be assured that we have registered your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Regards

BBC Complaints

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ibnabeeomar

January 29, 2009 at 12:17 PM

MUST WATCH
http://www.suhaibwebb.com/blog/general/tony-benn-to-bbc-if-you-wont-broadcast-the-gaza-appeal-then-i-will-myself/

Reply