COMPLAIN TO THE BBC - RING NOW ON 03700 100 222
BBC BANS ADVERT FOR HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA WAR VICTIMS
The BBC has pulled the plug on a television appeal by 13 charities for Gaza. The ban on the aid advert by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) comes as United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-moon visited Gaza to witness the appalling devastation. He said of the UN compound destroyed by Israel:
“I am just appalled. I am not able to describe how I am feeling. This was an outrageous and totally unacceptable attack against the United Nations.”
George Galloway, who is organising an aid convoy to Gaza leaving London on St Valentine’s Day, 14 February, says:
“This is a sickening decision by the BBC. When it said no, all the other broadcasters pulled the plug on the ad as well, according to some obscure ‘convention’. The BBC has already drawn international opprobrium for its unremittingly pro-Israel bias during the assault on Gaza. Now it is stymieing relief efforts. Three immediate responses are called for:
“The BBC must be subjected to a wave of protest over this inhuman decision. If public opinion mobilised over lewd broadcasting by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand then surely it can over this far graver failure to serve the public.
“The other broadcasters, who have no problem with the appeal, should be persuaded to transmit it anyway. Conventions are not binding with the force of law. If the BBC has in effect broken it, why should others feel bound?
“Everyone who supports the Palestinians people in Gaza should step up their aid, activities and political solidarity. The convoy I am helping to organise to Gaza, leaving London on 14 February, St Valentine’s Day, takes on even more importance. Support it. Collect for it. Send a vehicle laden with aid on it. The convoy is designed to break both the material and the media blockade on Gaza.
“Let’s answer the BBC’s disgraceful action – taken at public expense, thanks to our licence fees – with a massive convoy of material aid and political support for the Palestinians.”
It is important that the BBC is deluged with complaints. Please ring 03700 100 222 and ask for complaints, you will then be asked what you complaint is, and it will be recorded and passed on to BBC senior management. It is helpful if you compose what you want to say before you ring up.
Come on, if the Daily Mail can get Jonathan Ross suspended by orchestrating complaints, than I am sure we can get the BBC to overturn this decision by the weight of public opinion.
Just to repeat what I said, they told me they’re very busy cos of this issue.
When you call, it’s the normal “press 1 for…” and then you’re through. I think it’s 3 for complaints.
Andy’s right - write something down to say, cos it’s not like they engage you in dialogue. They’re friendly enough, but they encourage you to speak til you’re finished, which can feel awkward.
I said “I’d like to register my anger at the BBC’s refusal to show the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal. I think the decision is cowardly and groundless. I think there is no basis for the claims that the BBC has made about why it won’t show it. And I think that lives will be lost because the BBC’s decision has meant that no other broadcaster will show the appeal. I strongly urge the BBC to reconsider”.
I wouldn’t want people to copy what I’ve said, but if you say something like that, it sums it up quickly. The only other thing they do is ask if they can take your name, and additionally they ask me if I’d take part in a survey in future - if you say yes, you give them your phone number.
Do it - do it now!
Comment by external bulletin — 23 January, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
A mate of mine works on the BBC complaints line, bet he’s having a shitey day. Remember to be nice while you complain.
Comment by Nick — 23 January, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
Do be nice when complaining. Also - insist they take your address and that you want a written response from BBC management. This used to be automotic. But not anymore. You will get no response unless you insist on it.
Comment by Nas — 23 January, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
We have to complain on mass. We have to show the difference between this and the whole Jonathan Ross affair and enforce that the BBC take real action on real issues
Comment by Stupot — 23 January, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
Caroline Lucas MEP and the Green Party Press Office are issuing a press release condemning this decision and calling upon the BBC to reverse its decision.
One of our Euro candidates in London, Shahrhar Ali, will also be speaking at the rally on Gaza at BBC Portland Place, organised by Stop the War, tomorrow.
Green Left members are also contacting the BBC to protest and those of us going to Convention of the Left will also raise it there.
Comment by Verde — 23 January, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
Helen Boaden, Director of BBC news
Email: helenboaden.complaints@bbc.co.uk
Peter Horrocks, Head of BBC TV News
Email: peter.horrocks@bbc.co.uk
Richard Sambrook, Director of the World Service and Global News
Email: richard.sambrook@bbc.co.uk
Comment by external bulletin — 23 January, 2009 @ 6:07 pm
I’m assuming this is a good sign. I’ve been on the phone to complain for sometime. I keep getting the message that ‘I’m in an extended queue’ and the lines are ‘very busy’
Comment by Richard Searle — 23 January, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
I’ve emailed the BBC complaints line and also emailed David Miliband.
Here’s an edited verion of my email as to why I have asked the Foreign Secretary to help -
“I was under the impression the British Government was going to do all it can to help relief and aid efforts for the suffering people of Gaza.
The British Prime Minister promised the House of Commons -
We have trebled our support for humanitarian aid, we are helping to transfer children from Gaza into hospitals, we are trying to get rid of the unexploded bombs in the area by working with people in the region, and at the same time we will give all the food aid and all the support aid we can. There has been a terrible catastrophe over recent weeks. We must do everything we can now to help the people of Gaza
(Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister
House of Commons debates
They Work For You
Wednesday 19 January 2009)
The British Secretary of State, David Milliband has even promised the House of Commons that (my emphasis),
We will continue to support the United Nations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent and other international agencies, WHICH HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXPERTISE TO LEAD THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE IN GAZA.
(Answers to Questions - Defence
Gaza
House of Commons debates
They Work For You
Monday 12 January 2009).
The Disasters Emergency Committe reads like a who’s who of British and international aid agencies, the very ones the Foreign Secretary says have the expertise and wherewithal to know what they are doing in their efforts to help Gaza.
But yet, the BBC seems to think it knows more than DEC, and the Foreign Secretary, about what is good for the people of Gaza. DEC requires the BBC to broadcast its appeal to the British public but the BBC seems to be refusing to do so.
What is it the BBC knows about what is good for the suffering destitute people of Gaza that the Disaster Emergency Committee and the British Foreign Secretary don’t know?
Why won’t the BBC broadcast DEC’s appeals given the support it has from the British Foreign Secretary and the fact the British Prime Minsister has promised to do all he can to help bring aid and relief to the people of Gaza, in no uncertain terms?”
Comment by joe90 kane — 23 January, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
The BBC has to be seen as impartial, surely you wouldn’t want that to be compromised? You have to realise that after the Hutton report and more recent scandals, the BBC is obliged to play things very safe.
Now, the BBC website links to DEC and has their phone number. The BBC gave the same publicity to other disaster appeals, eg. the 2004 tsunami. The BBC is not acting unfairly here and people should tone down their rhetoric, it is not helping.
There really is no controversy here, other than that manufactured by people who are partisan with respect to the Israel/Palestine conflict. It’s a pity that people feel they can bully the BBC into following their own political agenda.
Finally, why pick on the BBC? Other broadcasters have taken the same decision, but nobody seems to be trying to flood their complaints hotline with callers. Which isn’t working, by the way - I can assure you.
Comment by BBC employee — 23 January, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
BBC employee have you thought about how people are surviving in Gaza?
I know we should be more concerned with your plight but…
Comment by Derek Wall — 23 January, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
“The BBC has to be seen as impartial, surely you wouldn’t want that to be compromised?”
OK, I’ve got no problem with them running an appeal for funds for the humanitarian crisis in Israel. Deal? Oh.
“Finally, why pick on the BBC? Other broadcasters have taken the same decision, but nobody seems to be trying to flood their complaints hotline with callers. Which isn’t working, by the way - I can assure you.”
Other broadcasters made their decision because of the BBC’s decision.
God, these Harry’s Place trolls are nasty.
Comment by external bulletin — 23 January, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
Ah yes, the impartial BBC, impervious to all pressure - other than from HM Government (which sets the licence fee).
Even George Orwell, who worked there for a time, cast some doubt on the Beeb’s impartiality. When he made enquiries, he was told that the BBC line was to be on the left of the party in power. Which would have made the BBC line one of liberal Conservatism, at the time he first asked the question. He noted that when the Labour government came to power in 1945, this rule did not seem to apply - the Beeb line was certainly not on the left of the Labour Party.
Comment by Ex-BBC hack — 23 January, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
I thought that the DEC weren’t doing an appeal, and was a bit disgusted with them, so the BBC is actually making them look bad.
Comment by Anonymous — 23 January, 2009 @ 7:09 pm
I suggest people take the time to read and understand this before weighing in with complaints that the BBC is not left-wing enough, or not political enough, or uncaring about how people are surviving in Gaza.
Just to make clear: the BBC is treating the Gaza tragedy as it has previous tragedies and calls for assistance. BBC news is giving links and phone numbers to DEC. It is not reasonable given the contentious nature of the issue of Israel/Palestine to do more than this.
Comment by BBC employee — 23 January, 2009 @ 7:11 pm
\”complaints that the BBC is not left-wing enough, or not political enough, or uncaring about how people are surviving in Gaza.”
nonsense, it isnt about being left wing or political. this is about basic humantarian aid to a people on its knees and desperate. there is nothing anti-israel about aid to palestinians. wouldnt you be better employed answering the phones?
Comment by Jim Monaghan — 23 January, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
“Just to make clear: the BBC is treating the Gaza tragedy as it has previous tragedies and calls for assistance.”
What about the appeal for Kosovo?
Comment by external bulletin — 23 January, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
The BBC as with most issues is far from impartial as is clearly stated by this (ex) employee:
http://www.medialens.org/alerts/04/040115_Ducking_Palestine_1.HTM
http://www.medialens.org/alerts/04/040116_Ducking_Palestine_2.HTM
Comment by BenP — 23 January, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
it isnt about being left wing or political …
According to comments #10, #11, and #12 - it is.
What about the appeal for Kosovo?
What about it? You seem to have missed the point that whether an official appeal is launched or not depends on whether it would be perceived as compromising the BBC’s impartiality. We are not talking about whether there is a rule - “the BBC will support appeals” - that is being broken. The grown-up world is more complicated than that, son.
The BBC as with most issues is far from impartial as is clearly stated by this (ex) employee
Disgruntled ex-exployees spouting nonsense on obscure, far left websites is not really going to convince anyone in possession of their sanity, chum.
Comment by BBC employee — 23 January, 2009 @ 7:47 pm
What about disgruntled employees spouting nonsense?
Comment by Derek Wall — 23 January, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
“What about it? You seem to have missed the point that whether an official appeal is launched or not depends on whether it would be perceived as compromising the BBC’s impartiality.”
Well, the events that led to the Kosovo appeal were used to justify a war. Therefore, if the BBC had any issues with how its decisions were perceived, this would’ve been a case of the BBC weighing in on the side of NATO, judging the BBC by its statements on the Gaza appeal.
Comment by external bulletin — 23 January, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
BBC employee
If BBC coverage was impartial it would look in depth at all perspectives on the situation, including the Hamas perspective that their rocket attacks are just and the anti-zionist Jewish and socialist perspective that Israel is a racist state, whose very existence as a state is the source of the problem. Of course, it does nothing of the sort and sticks strictly to mainstream New Labour and Tory views. That kind of credulous reportage isn’t worth spit.
Comment by Jonathan — 23 January, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
BBC really lost their balls after the Kelly “suicide” and the sacking of Greg Dyke.
Its not like this is a whip-round for Hamas
Here’s the Green Party Statements:
http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/greens-join-palestine-demonstration.html
http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2009-01-23-Gaza.html
Comment by green socialist — 23 January, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Derek Wall - beyond making snidey comments, do you have anything of substance to contribute? It appears not.
External Bulletin - some events happened (the attempted Serb genocide of ethnic Albanians), that led to the Kosovo appeal, and also ultimately the NATO intervention. From this you deduce that the BBC “weighed in” on the side of NATO?? Logic is obviously not your forte, chum.
Jonathan - the HAMAS position is regularly explained to BBC viewers, along with that of the Israelis. That’s how the BBC lives up to the requirement that it informs the public and maintains impartiality. And I think you’ll find that far more people regard the “mainstream” reportage of the BBC as credible than the biased, extreme ideology-driven reportage of the far left grouplets that Socialist Unity posters sympathize with.
Comment by BBC employee — 23 January, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
“External Bulletin - some events happened (the attempted Serb genocide of ethnic Albanians), that led to the Kosovo appeal, and also ultimately the NATO intervention. From this you deduce that the BBC “weighed in” on the side of NATO?? Logic is obviously not your forte, chum.”
It’s always funny when a troll’s words turn out to apply to the troll, isn’t it?
Someone with a small amount of intelligence who read my comments would note that I was talking about using the BBC’s own terms - the BBC claims that it has worries about how its role may be perceived if it airs the appeal.
Using the same logic - something you seem unable to do, which now makes me think you work for the department that rejected the DEC appeal - the BBC should not have shown the Kosovo appeal, because it may have been perceived as weighing in on NATO’s side.
I’m not “deducing” anything. I’m merely applying the BBC’s logic.
You’re not a very good troll.
Comment by external bulletin — 23 January, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
BBC employee
Should the BBC concentrate on reflecting conventional views, or accurately reporting the wide range of relevant perspectives? I find it hard to take seriously your claim that the BBC has given Hamas, or any other anti-Israeli perspective, a fair crack of the whip, particularly since your point about ‘bias’ and ‘extreme’ ideolology seems to justify screening out non-mainstream perspectives. If you dismiss something as ‘biased’ and ‘extreme’ you don’t need to trouble yourself as to whether it is well argued, calls upon robust historical evidence and perhaps seriously threatens what is usually taken for granted. Why should the BBCn not run an interesting item or programme on the history and practice of anti-zionism among world Jewry? That would be a real contribution to the debate and to the cause of even handedness.
Comment by Jonathan — 23 January, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
Screening out non-mainstream perspectives is part of what the BBC does.
Sometimes it is done more crudely - according to Indymedia, some of their servers have been seized by the police.
Comment by Faust — 23 January, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
From Stop The War just now:
GOVERNMENT COMPLAINS TO BBC FOR BLOCKING GAZA APPEAL
JOIN THE GOVERNMENT’S PROTEST: COMPLAIN NOW TO THE BBC
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/
Comment by external bulletin — 23 January, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
Bloody hell. Pigs really do fly. All of a sudden we’re mainstream and BBC are extremist nutters.
Comment by Jonathan — 23 January, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Will the BBC heroically resist even the UK government in the name of its spurious impartiality? Watch this space…
Comment by Faust — 23 January, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
Do email the BBC’s political advisor too - Ric Bailey at ric.bailey@bbc.co.uk
Comment by pile on the pressure — 23 January, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
‘BBC Employee’ - you should read your contract of employment before you launch rude tirades on public websites in the name of the BBC . If you personally disagree with Mr Newman , fine, but you can be sure that the people on the complaints lines will be courteous and accurate in their reporting - that’s what’s required when people complain - it’s their BBC as much as yours.
Comment by AlsoBBCWorker — 23 January, 2009 @ 11:58 pm
external bulletin - thanks for that. I think the StW statement is not very thought out. What exactly are they trying to push for.
Comment by Nas — 24 January, 2009 @ 12:00 am
I tried to txt earlier but the number won’t receive txts at the moment. Perhaps it’s overloaded with protests txts. I hope so.
Comment by Ray — 24 January, 2009 @ 12:30 am
Astonishing comment from health minister Ben Bradshaw:
“I’m afraid the BBC has to stand up to the Israeli authorities occasionally”
Comment by external bulletin — 24 January, 2009 @ 7:50 am
“Disgruntled ex-exployees spouting nonsense”
“beyond making snidey comments, do you have anything of substance to contribute? It appears not.”
Tim Llewellyn who authored the articles posted at media lens was the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the articles formed part of a compilation book; Pluto Press: Tell Me Lies - Propaganda and Media Distortion in the Attack on Iraq.
Another informed view from someone based in the occupied territories and Israel - http://www.jkcook.net/Articles2/0286.htm.
Comment by BenP — 24 January, 2009 @ 8:25 am
Sorry link is - www.jkcook.net/Articles2/0286.htm
Logged my complaint with the BBC.
Comment by BenP — 24 January, 2009 @ 8:44 am
BBC Employee? - that covers a lot of possible jobs. I could call myself that, and post
infantile drivel here to wind people up. I understand that most would consider someone who says that the BBC is treating this the way it treats other appeals just hasn’t bothered to check up on what this thread’s about, and
so not waste their energy on he/she/ it, but I can’t let the following go ( and I’m disappointed that everyone else has let it go):
” External Bulletin - some events happened (the attempted Serb genocide of ethnic Albanians), that led to the Kosovo appeal, and also ultimately the NATO intervention. From this you deduce that the BBC “weighed in” on the side of NATO?? ”
There was no more an ‘ attempted Serb genocide of ethnic Albanians’ than there were WMDs in Iraq ( 45 minute to launch, threat to the UK - remember?), not to mention a Hamas breach of the ceasefire and the rest of it.
” ..,that led to the Kosovo appeal, and also ultimately the NATO intervention.”
- ‘NATO intervention’ being a euphemism for the bombing of schools, hospitals, bridges, power-plants, all PUBLICLY-OWNED factories ( they didn’t touch anything owned by foreign investors) - pretty much the same as Iraq and Gaza with the BBC cheering on ” save the goodies! Bomb the baddies!”
” I think you’ll find that far more people regard the “mainstream” reportage of the BBC as credible than the biased, extreme ideology-driven reportage of the far left grouplets ”
‘far more people’ - as if we didn’t know that? It’s called ‘propaganda’, ‘mind control’, or ( by Ed Herman and Noam Chomsky) ‘manufacturing consent’ - the (not unlikely to me, and quite provable) notion that those who control the ‘means of production’, and large concentrations of capital, pretty much determine the boundaries of what is considered ’sensible’ in the MSM.
Just on the off-chance that you really are a well-meaning naive BBC employee, I recommend that you read the aforementioned ‘Manufacturing Consent’ by Herman/Chomsky, and Chomsky’s ‘World Orders Old and New’ and ‘Deterring Democracy’ and get back to us. Otherwise, just keep doing what most BBC employees do - all the cocaine you can get, and keep dreaming that one day a rich man will recognise your qualities, give you a pat on the head, tickle your tight little sphincter, and give you a job where you can bully toerags all day and sack them by text-message when there is no more surplus value to be extracted from them.
Peace and Love.
Comment by Jock McTrousers — 24 January, 2009 @ 9:13 am
37. In my Beeb days I preferred beer, myself
Comment by Ex-BBC hack — 24 January, 2009 @ 9:20 am
BBC Employee.
If and when the day comes that some arse nukes Tel Aviv, I presume you’ll be on here demanding the BBC strikes a balance and doesn’t broadcast an appeal for help for the survivors.
Comment by Hospital Worker — 24 January, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Well it’s a disgraceful decision by the BBC.
Though the DEC is a worthy cause, I’d advise contributing to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign - the PSC do some excellent work.
Comment by Cameron — 24 January, 2009 @ 11:53 am
Douglas Alexander urges the BBC to reconsider its position, urging the corporation to recognise “immense human suffering”.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7848673.stm
Comment by Brian — 24 January, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
The appeal to garner expressions of disgust with the BBC is exactly the sort of campaign for which social networking sites are particularly useful. Facebook’s credentials for political advocacy are easily exagerated - but should not be under-rated either (accepting that many comrades choose to completely avoid the thing and that’s legitimate too obviously).
Comment by Rohan G — 24 January, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
I just joined the facebook group “Complain to BBC for refusal to publicise DEC Gaza Appeal” @ http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49390741183 and sent an invitation to all my friends.
If you are on face book please do the same.
Comment by Joseph Kisolo — 24 January, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
The other TV channels are now going to show the appeal
Comment by Derek Wall — 24 January, 2009 @ 5:31 pm