BBC firm on Gaza appeal boycott

Updated on 24 January 2009

The BBC's refusal to broadcast an appeal by charities for aid in Gaza is attacked by the government, opposition and protesters.

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But the corporation's chairman has warned against undue political interference.

This attempt to protect the impartiality of the BBC is in danger of achieving the opposite.

All the other terrestrial broadcasters - Channel 4, ITV and Five have decided they will break with the BBC and broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal on Monday night.

Tonight the BBC is isolated but it insists it will not change its mind, although it is now facing increasing pressure to run an emergency appeal for the victims of the bombings in Gaza.

The Disasters Emergency Committee is a group of 13 aid agencies that work together during humanitarian crises.

Hundreds of people angry over the BBC's decision staged a protest through central London earlier today.

The Channel 4 statement on the Gaza appeal.

"Channel 4 will broadcast the DEC appeal for humanitarian aid for civillians caught up in the Gaza conflict. We accept the DEC's guidance on the urgent need for humanitarian aid and believe this need should take precedence over any considerations as to the causes of the suffering that necessitates it.

"We believe Channel 4's news coverage of the conflict in Gaza has at all times been appropriately impartial and we do not believe our impartiality will be compromised in the eyes of our audience by broadcasting this appeal. We have informed other broadcasters of our decision."