BBC under strain to show Gaza ad
Network slammed by religious leaders, journalists, and 11,000 viewers for rejecting charity appeal
Following its refusal to air a charity fundraising appeal for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the BBC has been under fire by a number of public figures urging it to reconsider.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who heads of the Church of England, said Sunday he believes the network should broadcast the ad. "In the end, it's not a question of impartiality, it's a question of those who have been made destitute, those who need food, those who need medicine, those who need help," he told the BBC. "That's all it is."
British lawmaker Richard Burden said that more than 50 of his colleagues are backing a parliamentary petition urging the BBC to run the ad.
In addition, British press agencies reported that the BBC has received around 11,000 complaints following its rejection of the ad, 1,000 of which were received by phone.
Two other channels – ITV and Channel 4 – have decided to run the charity appeal despite former refusals.
But the BBC said it has not changed its position. It has said the ad was rejected because showing it might harm the broadcaster's reputation for impartiality, and because it couldn't be sure the humanitarian aid would reach the needy in the chaotic Palestinian territory.
The British 'Observer' reported that journalists and editors employed by the BBC were enraged by the network's continuing refusal. "I've been talking to colleagues, and everyone here is absolutely seething about this," said one reporter, who was not identified by name.
"The notion that the decision to ban the appeal will seem impartial to the public at large is quite absurd. Most of us feel that the BBC's defense of its position is pathetic, and there's a feeling of real anger, made worse by the fact that, contractually, we are unable to speak out."
AP contributed to this report
