Sunday 20 September 2015

Charity appeal

Fighting Global Poverty! That sounds good. 
What’s not to like?   I'll just get my cheque book out. 

I’ve just heard a querulous old lady making a desperate, emotional appeal on Radio 4 on behalf of impoverished garment-makers in Bangladesh.  Better hurry, it sounds as though she’s  about to gasp her last breath -

So have you got a pencil ready?

Hang on a mo. Good Grief! It’s Vanessa Redgrave appealing on behalf of  War on Want.

They also campaign for Justice for Palestine.  "Stop Arming Israel. Boycott G4S. Boycott Divestment, Sanctions.


I wonder if someone could apply for a slot for a charity supporting, say,  ISIS? 
I’ll see if it  meets the criteria.


Oh NO! It says here they can’t support religious organisations that are seeking to proselytise or whose beneficiaries are of a particular faith;
“Please note: The BBC has requirements for impartiality in relation to what it broadcasts and it cannot broadcast an appeal connected to political activities. If you are involved in campaigning work on an issue of current public or political controversy, the BBC and the Appeals Advisory Committee will need to be satisfied that this does not give rise to concerns. They will need to be sure that an appeal can be framed within the BBC’s requirements for due impartiality in its output. This APRIL 2015 applies particularly where the charity has a high media profile in relation to a current debate.”

 Oh well,  that rules out Islamic State. But does it rule out War on Want?

How we choose charities for an appeal The BBC Appeals Advisory Committee comprising a panel of independent experts will assess and discuss each application received. The Committee aims to ensure that a broad range of charities are reflected in each transmission period. They will also look at [...] Purpose of the appeal: Broadcast charity appeals need to have a strong narrative. Your charity must summarise the core message of its intended appeal in its application.

You could write to Sally Flatman, Charity Appeals Advisor. Have you got a pencil ready? 

3 comments:

  1. “Please note: The BBC has requirements for impartiality in relation to what it broadcasts and it cannot broadcast an appeal connected to political activities. If you are involved in campaigning work on an issue of current public or political controversy, the BBC and the Appeals Advisory Committee will need to be satisfied that this does not give rise to concerns.

    If they were serious about this, half their international reporters, and nearly all their US staff, would be in trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I thought someone ought to get into trouble over this. I’m sure they shouldn’t have let it go ahead.
    War on Want is highly political in a very negative way. I mean they’re actively pursuing BDS.

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