BBC and Sky News brush off impartiality concerns to air Gaza appeal
Both the BBC and Sky News are to air a fundraising appeal for victims of the Gaza conflict, despite previously having refused to do so during similar events in 2009 on the grounds of confidentiality.
The broadcasters will grant airtime to the Disasters Emergency Committee piece seeking funds for humanitarian interventions in the region after agreeing it met their ‘appeal criteria’, bringing them into line with ITV, Channel4 and Channel 5 – all of whom aired the last appeal.
Scheduled to run on Friday the decision follows widespread criticism of their earlier reluctance to screen the appeal with the Archbishop of York arguing that the material was ‘not a row about impartiality but rather about humanity.’
Brendan Paddy, head of communications at the DEC, said: “We’ve made the case to all broadcasters that our appeal criteria had been met and all have agreed and have said they will carry the appeal.”