BBC to review appeals policy after Gaza DEC furore

Fundraising | Vibeka Mair | 9 Mar 2009

The BBC Trust has asked BBC director general Mark Thompson to review the BBC’s policy on broadcasting charity appeals in light of the row over its refusal to show the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Gaza crisis appeal in January.

The Trust, an independent watchdog of the BBC, has no power to overrule decisions concerning televised charitable broadcasts, but was obliged to consider whether the broadcaster had acted responsibly in terms of process, policy and guidelines.

It has decided that the BBC acted correctly in its decision not to show the DEC appeal, but has asked it to review its criteria for considering appeals and whether current policy is still appropriate for “today’s changed conditions”.

Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the Trust, said: “We recognise that the director-general’s decision was a matter of great controversy for many members of the public. However…we are satisfied that the decision the director-general took was reasonable given the importance of preserving the reputation of the BBC for impartiality.

“We will not reopen the question of this particular DEC appeal. However, we are mindful of the degree of public concern it aroused. We have therefore asked the director-general to explore any wider lessons that may be drawn from this episode through discussions with DEC and with other broadcasters.

“In particular we have asked him to take a view on whether the BBC agreement with DEC, which dates from 1971, and the associated criteria for considering appeals, are still appropriate for today’s changed conditions.”

The BBC’s agreement with the DEC, dating back to 1971, allows the Corporation to make airtime available for such charitable appeals at its discretion. It has turned down some appeals in the past.

The BBC executive received 40,000 complaints and the Trust received 200 formal appeals, including a detailed complaint from a solicitor, Hickman and Rose, who were acting for two Gazans who were seeking aid.

Who's Who: Vibeka Mair

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