On balance, I’m inclined to think the BBC has probably made the right call on whether or not to broadcast the DEC appeal for Gaza.
More importantly, having made the call, the editors at the BBC can’t let themselves be bullied into changing their postition. This is a very sensible view from Tom Harris MP who doesn’t agree but will live with the decision.
The BBC has taken a lot of hits in the past few years, particularly in the post-Hutton era. I often feel it’s lost the confidence to take the difficult decisions, to stick to an editorial line it believes is correct.
On any rational level, it can be appreciated the DEC appeal could raise questions of impartiality. You can agree or disagree with that view, but so much discussion around the Israeli-Palestinian question takes an immediate leave of rationality.
It’s faulty logic to compare the Gaza crisis with the Tsunami appeal or the handful of other occasions the BBC has allowed such an appeal on its air.
At the end of the day, broadcasters (and the BBC in particular) have an incredible power. With that power comes a responsibility to be careful what gets on the air. The DEC can and has taken out ad campaigns across many forms of media: it’s message will get through.
The BBC is right not use its pulpit on this issue. Now it just needs to stay standing up-right under fire.
