The BBC under pressure

BBC television is coming under increasing pressure for refusing to broadcast an appeal for donations for the victims of the Gaza conflict. The Independent defends the broadcaster. "However much we support the appeal's cause, it does not follow that the BBC is bound by some moral imperative to broadcast it. The Corporation could rightly argue that it is laying itself open to endless pressures to broadcast appeals were it to do so. And as one of the world's most respected newsgathering and broadcasting organisations, it does not need the responsibility of arbitrating which deserving causes should win its endorsement.The Corporation is clearly sensitive to the wider implications of engaging in third-party-led activities. While no one questions the excellent motives of those behind the Gaza appeal, the BBC also feels that it must take account of the political complexities that broadcasting such an appeal may entail."

» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Audiovisual Media, » Media policy, » United Kingdom, » Middle East

» To the complete press review of Monday, January 26, 2009