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THE BBC WAS CORRECT NOT TO SCREEN THE GAZA APPEAL
The BBC has declined to show a charity appeal asking for aid into the Gaza strip, citing its position as an unbiased public service broadcaster.
The BBC was correct not to screen the Gaza appeal
Yes, because... Impartiality
The BBC has, throughout this conflict, tried to remain impartial to either side. If it were to broadcast such an appeal, the BBC would come under international criticism for being biased. Under current BBC legislation, the corporation must show no political bias, either domestically or abroad.
The BBC also has to uphold its moral obligation as a public service broadcaster to ‘inform, educate and entertain’. This is a situation that needs to be shown to people. By letting people see the appeal, it will inform people of the situation in Gaza. Whether people respond to it is their own decision.
The BBC is showing bias by deciding that to show the appeal would be politically biased rather than humanitarian.
Vote on this point: Impartiality
See history of changes to this point
The BBC was correct not to screen the Gaza appeal
Yes, because... More coverage of the appeal
By showing the appeal, maybe a few million people would have seen the appeal, and would have been aware of the situation. Now the BBC is under scrutiny by every media outlet as to why it is not broadcasting it, the Gaza appeal is getting much more coverage than it ever would have done otherwise.
The fact that the BBC making the wrong decision ended up with the appeal getting more publicity does not make their decision correct. The end does not justify the means
Many people who wouldn't have heard of the appeal and wouldn't have donated will have heard of the controversy and decided not to donate.
Vote on this point: More coverage of the appeal
See history of changes to this point
The BBC was correct not to screen the Gaza appeal
No, because... Insults the viewer’s intelligence
To suggest that people who watch at home will be able to distinguish between aid requests of trapped families in the Gaza strip and the political conflicts in the Middle East is treating the viewer as somewhat simple-minded. Showing details of the charities involved in the appeal can assist those who wish to help. If someone does not understand the conflict, it is simple to collect both sides of the story.
The BBC was correct not to screen the Gaza appeal
No, because... Charitable requests
The appeal is not by Hamas, but the Disasters Emergency Committee asking for help to aid those caught in the middle of this war. By declining this request, the BBC could be seen to have already leaning to a specific side. There is no denying that civilians were affected by the Israeli offensive, and by not broadcasting the appeal which is for the help of the affected civilians, the BBC's "unbiasness" is more likely to come under question now, than if it would had broadcast it in the first place
See history of changes to this point
Vote on this debate: The BBC was correct not to screen the Gaza appeal
Modified:
06 Apr 2010
Point 1. Impartiality
The BBC has, throughout this conflict, tried to remain impartial to either side. If it were to broadcast such an appeal, the BBC would come under international criticism for being biased. Under current BBC legislation, the corporation must show no political bias, either domestically or abroad.
The BBC also has to uphold its moral obligation as a public service broadcaster to ‘inform, educate and entertain’. This is a situation that needs to be shown to people. By letting people see the appeal, it will inform people of the situation in Gaza. Whether people respond to it is their own decision.
The BBC is showing bias by deciding that to show the appeal would be politically biased rather than humanitarian.
Point 2. More coverage of the appeal
By showing the appeal, maybe a few million people would have seen the appeal, and would have been aware of the situation. Now the BBC is under scrutiny by every media outlet as to why it is not broadcasting it, the Gaza appeal is getting much more coverage than it ever would have done otherwise.
The fact that the BBC making the wrong decision ended up with the appeal getting more publicity does not make their decision correct. The end does not justify the means
Many people who wouldn't have heard of the appeal and wouldn't have donated will have heard of the controversy and decided not to donate.
Point 1. Insults the viewer’s intelligence
To suggest that people who watch at home will be able to distinguish between aid requests of trapped families in the Gaza strip and the political conflicts in the Middle East is treating the viewer as somewhat simple-minded. Showing details of the charities involved in the appeal can assist those who wish to help. If someone does not understand the conflict, it is simple to collect both sides of the story.
Point 2. Charitable requests
The appeal is not by Hamas, but the Disasters Emergency Committee asking for help to aid those caught in the middle of this war. By declining this request, the BBC could be seen to have already leaning to a specific side. There is no denying that civilians were affected by the Israeli offensive, and by not broadcasting the appeal which is for the help of the affected civilians, the BBC's "unbiasness" is more likely to come under question now, than if it would had broadcast it in the first place