Leech petitions BBC over decision not to air Gaza appeal

4.13.32pm GMT Tue 10th Mar 2009

John Leech, MP for Withington, will today present a petition in parliament on behalf of Manchester residents that calls on the BBC to reverse its decision not to show a humanitarian aid appeal for the people of Gaza.

In the aftermath of the recent crisis in the region, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which comprises thirteen charities, launched an appeal to raise money for humanitarian assistance to be sent to the region. However, the BBC refused to broadcast the appeal on the grounds that it would cast doubt on the corporation's political impartiality and it could not be guaranteed that the aid would reach the people for whom it was intended.

John Leech is now taking the issue to House of Commons, where he will submit the 1,300-signature strong petition in opposition to the BBC's decision.

John Leech said:

"Regardless of the politics of the situation, there is an on-going humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the people there need our support. Broadcasting this appeal would in no way jeopardise the BBC's political impartiality - they've broadcast appeals for Sudan and DR Congo, so why not Gaza?"

"This isn't a question of taking sides, it's a question of recognising the suffering of ordinary Gazans and acting accordingly."

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Notes to editors:

On Monday 10th March 2009, John Leech submitted the petition to the House of Commons with 1,364 signatories:

"The Petition of persons concerned at the BBC's decision not to air the DEC's Gaza Appeal.

Declares that the International Committee of the Red Cross has said that conditions for the people of Gaza are 'worse than Darfur' but the BBC refuses to allow the Disasters Emergency Committee to broadcast an appeal for aid; further declares the petitioner's agreement with Government Health Minister Ben Bradshaw, who has said the reasons the BBC has given for blocking an appeal for humanitarian aid are "completely feeble" and that it was an "inexplicable decision".

The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of Commons urges the Government to do everything in its power to urge the BBC reconsider its decision and to contact the Disasters Emergency Committee as a matter of urgency so that its appeal can be broadcast nationally."

John Leech recently attended a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary BBC Group during which he challenged the corporation's Director General Mark Thompson over the BBC's refusal to broadcast the appeal.

The DEC's Gaza appeal can be viewed via http://www.dec.org.uk/