Gaza humanitarian aid ppeal to air on BBC and Sky News

The BBC and Sky News are to broadcast an appeal to help people affected by the Gaza conflict, after having refused to air a similar film four years ago.

In 2009, the BBC and Sky News declined to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, claiming it would compromise their impartiality in reporting the conflict.

But both networks as well as ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, which broadcast the 2009 appeal, have accepted the latest film meets the DEC’s “appeal criteria”, the charity body said.

The DEC organised the appeal, which will air on Friday, to help the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled their homes in Gaza.

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.”

The BBC’s refusal, along with other broadcasters, to air a DEC appeal for Gaza on 22 January 2009 sparked protests from government ministers, religious leaders and senior members of its own staff. more

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