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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

The bbc's refusal to broadcast the DEC appeal was actually a positive thing and people seem to have missed that...

33 replies

wannaBe · 26/01/2009 22:07

The appeal was only broadcast once. So unless you were watching during those four minutes you wouldn't have even known about it...

The bbc refusing to broadcast it has actually kept it in the news for three days now and counting. Thus ensuring it has received far more publicity than it otherwise would have done.

Now I haven't made any secret of the fact that I agree with the bbc's stance on not broadcasting the appeal, but regardless of one's viiew on the matter, the refusal of the bbc to broadcast the appeal has actually been a positive step for it.

OP posts:
Stayingsunnygirl · 26/01/2009 22:11

That was my thought too, wannaBe - it's recieved far more airtime than the actual appeal would have done.

Unlike you, I'm not convinced that it was the right decision, but I can fully understand the BBC wanting to err on the side of caution.

AuraofDora · 26/01/2009 22:28

err on the side of caution? ffs
subsitute tel aviv for gaza and ask yourself then if there would have been an appeal broadcast stayingsunnygirl

i can sort of see what you say op but it's hard to find much positive in all this shit

Lizzylou · 26/01/2009 22:30

I agree, I think they are being very canny.

2shoes · 26/01/2009 22:30

I never watch these appeals. but I have heard of this one, due to the BBC not showing it. so yanbu

Original poster
wannaBe · 26/01/2009 22:36

AuraofDora but if the bbc had broadcast the appeal then most people would have no idea about it because generally these things are not advertised, so it's more down t luck as to whether people are watching television at the time.

I don't think I've ever seen one of these appeals before. So either they're generally not shown, or they're not well advertised.

This one has been extremely well advertised due to the bbc not covering it.

Three days of publicity is surely far better than four minutes?

OP posts:
HerBeatitudeLittleBella · 26/01/2009 22:38

Yes but do you think it was deliberate?

Stefka · 26/01/2009 22:41

I had heard of the appeal through the news but did not make the move to donate until I had actually seen the appeal itself on Channel four. I wasn't deliberatly not donating when I was just hearing about it on the news but when I saw the actual appeal it prompted me to give money.

I guess it is because of the way it was framed. When it was in the news it was just one amongst many stories but in the appeal advert I got focussed information that made me want to take action.

Stayingsunnygirl · 26/01/2009 22:42

I don't know if the BBC would have broadcast an appeal if TelAviv were substituted for Gaza, AuraofDora. I believe that BBC policy is to remain impartial - hence not broadcasting an appeal that could be seen as supporting one side in a war.

SenoraPostrophe · 26/01/2009 22:49

I do agree that it's given more publicity to the appeal, but they should still have shown it.

It's not about "giving support to one side during a war", it's about advertising an appeal to rebuild a large area. and as it goes, I think the bbc has been incredibly timid during this war, although obviously that's partly because israel wouldn't let any journalists in.

edam · 26/01/2009 22:49

The appeal may have generated some controversy but we won't know whether that translates into more - or less - money for a while. Will be interesting to see. But it's not something that the DEC will want to replicate, that's for sure.

elliott · 26/01/2009 22:49

I like the way all the bbc news programmes are managing to broadcast about 1min of the appeal, together with the phone no displayed onscreen...they may not be able to speak out, but they are subtly undermining their bosses...

edam · 26/01/2009 23:00

yes, very neat!

bluejelly · 26/01/2009 23:05

This made me feel a lot better about the whole debacle! Of course the BBC should have broadcast the appeal, but they are running so scared at the moment ( after Sachsgate, Blue Pete gate etc) that I'm not surprised at all.

follderol · 26/01/2009 23:06

You really think the news editors have this autonomy and don't work under edicts from on high?

I think the BBC made the right decision, cover it as a news story and give enough of the ad to show the numebr

edam · 26/01/2009 23:08

No, it doesn't work like that. Usually the BBC actually produces the appeal package - when the spineless idiots like Thompson and his cronies made the initial decision, they would have thought that was it. No appeal. NOW things may be shifting but that's no thanks to Thompson and co.

Original poster
wannaBe · 27/01/2009 10:12

red cross were saying yesterday that donations are signifficantly down compared to what they usually would be.

But i imagine that could be for many reasons though, economic crisis/fact that this is a controvercial issue etc.

OP posts:
AuraofDora · 27/01/2009 14:55

wannabe you are right i guess it has much more airtime than orginally ever hoped for..
but
they should have shown it in the first place and my ire is well and truly directed at them, the powers at bbc quoting impartiality as a reason not to
wtf

Fairynufff · 27/01/2009 16:17

The BBC has to be more squeaky clean than anyone else because of the Government Charter. It must "be free from both political and commercial influence and answer only to its viewers and listeners". To sponser an appeal for one group (however deserving) in the middle of a war would put its integrity (already on dicy ground)at risk. I am proud that our country has the BBC and I wouldn't want anything to damage its status. There are plenty of other forums for the appeal: churches/mosques/synagogues/internet groups/commercial media/word of mouth etc.

charitygirl · 27/01/2009 16:21

I hope everyone sufficiently moved to complain to the BBC has also donated to the campaign. Otherwise, one might start to think it's broadcast is a political issue.

charitygirl · 27/01/2009 16:22

Aargh - curse you, rogue apostrophe

PeachyBAHonsPRSCertOnRequest · 27/01/2009 16:22

I think you're right about the effect Wannabee (I even taped it as knew I would miss it )

BUT I still think it was a shit decision

PeachyBAHonsPRSCertOnRequest · 27/01/2009 16:23

Yes charity I have thank you ( bizarre post! As if everyone has cash to spare atm or not having cash denied you an opinion!)

LuckySalem · 27/01/2009 16:26

WannaBe - completely agree with you.

I dont get all the fuss tbh

I dont know why broadcasting it would have made the BBC look like it was taking sides and
i dont know why everyone is complaining when they've had so much "publicity" from them not.

charitygirl · 27/01/2009 16:32

Not that bizarre - I can well imagine the 'Israel is evil' lobby mobilising to flood the Beeb with complaints, yet magically failing to actually do anything to alleviate Palestinian suffering.

Not suggesting that's you.

PeachyBAHonsPRSCertOnRequest · 27/01/2009 16:37

LOL not taking it as you did

far fromIsrael is evil, I'd donate to them also

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