As Channel 4's Dispatches on telephone fundraising aired last night, the sector took to Twitter to respond to allegations of poor fundraising practice and defend the lucrative technique. Jenna Pudelek chronicles the response.
Last night's Dispatches programme, which saw two reporters go undercover at the telephone agencies NTT Fundraising and Pell & Bales, prompted a heated response from fundraisers.
There were accusations of poor and biased journalism. Some raised concerns that the programme would have a negative impact on fundraising by highlighting poor practice by a few.
Interestingly, the international charity War Child used the Twitter debate surrounding the programme to talk positively about why charities use telephone fundraising and the huge benefits it brings to its cause.
The Fundraising Standards Board today updated its statement in response to the programme. The regulator expressed concern over allegations of dishonesty and poor practice by telephone fundraising agencies. It said it was contacting the charities and agencies involved in the programme to consider whether further action or investigation is needed.
The FRSB said that contrary to former Institute of Fundraising director Stephen Lee's assertion, the solicitation statement that obliges fundraisers to reveal that they are paid, does not have to be made before the decision to donate, but at any time during the call.
