The appeal, which launched yesterday, is intended to raise funds for the victims of the conflict in the region, after the UN stated that $2bn in aid was going to be required for the rebuilding of infrastructure alone.
However, the DEC, a coalition of 13 UK humanitarian aid agencies including Oxfam, The Red Cross and Save the Children, has been refused access to free airtime. A 46-year-old agreement with the charities guarantees them a two-minute prime-time slot to broadcast appeals, but this can only happen if all broadcasters agree. The BBC's decision not to air the appeal means that no other channels can either.
A statement from the BBC said ‘Along with other broadcasters, the BBC has decided not to broadcast the DEC's public appeal to raise funds for Gaza. The BBC's decision was made because of question marks about the delivery of aid in a volatile situation, and also to avoid any risk of compromising public confidence in the BBC's impartiality in the context of an ongoing news story.'
Despite its inability to promote its cause on TV, the DEC has launched a national press and radio campaign as well as viral and online activity, which will continue until July 2009.
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