27-01-2009, 02:51 PM
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090127/tuk-...a1618.html
MPs continue to condemn BBC and Sky
Tuesday, January 27 07:25 am
More than 100 MPs have signed an early day motion criticising the BBC and Sky News for refusing to show an emergency appeal for Gaza. Skip related content
Terrestrial broadcasters ITV, Channel 4 and Five showed the televised appeal, made by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), on Monday night.
The refusal of the BBC and Sky News led to protests outside Broadcasting House where demonstrators burned their television licences and occupied the buildings reception until they were removed by police.
Richard Burden, the Labour MP who tabled the motion, said 112 MPs had signed it by Monday night.
The motion rejects the "unconvincing and incoherent" justifications given by the BBC and Sky.
"The fact that well over 100 MPs from different parties have signed this Commons motion shows the breadth of concern about the position which the BBC and Sky are taking," Mr Burden said.
"The arguments that BBC managers have been putting forward in defence of their refusal to screen this appeal have shown themselves to be even more unconvincing and contradictory as time has gone on.
"Viewers and listeners can see the difference between a humanitarian appeal and politics - even if the BBC and Sky management cannot.
"BBC and Sky bosses have the power to make the editorial decisions they want; the rest of us have the right to say they are wrong."
Praising broadcasters who decided to show the appeal, he went on: "The needs of a child traumatised by war in Gaza are no more or less important than those of a traumatised child in another war zone.
"The BBC has had no difficulty in broadcasting appeals for war zones like Congo and Darfur. Maintaining the BBC's proud tradition of impartiality means it should treat Gaza no differently."
BBC director general Mark Thompson said the decision not to broadcast the appeal was "absolutely" in line with the corporation's broader approach to impartiality and appeals.
John Ryley, head of Sky News, said "absolute impartiality" was fundamental to their approach.
He said: "That is why, after very careful consideration, we have concluded that broadcasting an appeal for Gaza at this time is incompatible with our role in providing balanced and objective reporting of this continuing situation to our audiences in the UK and around the world."
MPs continue to condemn BBC and Sky
Tuesday, January 27 07:25 am
More than 100 MPs have signed an early day motion criticising the BBC and Sky News for refusing to show an emergency appeal for Gaza. Skip related content
Terrestrial broadcasters ITV, Channel 4 and Five showed the televised appeal, made by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), on Monday night.
The refusal of the BBC and Sky News led to protests outside Broadcasting House where demonstrators burned their television licences and occupied the buildings reception until they were removed by police.
Richard Burden, the Labour MP who tabled the motion, said 112 MPs had signed it by Monday night.
The motion rejects the "unconvincing and incoherent" justifications given by the BBC and Sky.
"The fact that well over 100 MPs from different parties have signed this Commons motion shows the breadth of concern about the position which the BBC and Sky are taking," Mr Burden said.
"The arguments that BBC managers have been putting forward in defence of their refusal to screen this appeal have shown themselves to be even more unconvincing and contradictory as time has gone on.
"Viewers and listeners can see the difference between a humanitarian appeal and politics - even if the BBC and Sky management cannot.
"BBC and Sky bosses have the power to make the editorial decisions they want; the rest of us have the right to say they are wrong."
Praising broadcasters who decided to show the appeal, he went on: "The needs of a child traumatised by war in Gaza are no more or less important than those of a traumatised child in another war zone.
"The BBC has had no difficulty in broadcasting appeals for war zones like Congo and Darfur. Maintaining the BBC's proud tradition of impartiality means it should treat Gaza no differently."
BBC director general Mark Thompson said the decision not to broadcast the appeal was "absolutely" in line with the corporation's broader approach to impartiality and appeals.
John Ryley, head of Sky News, said "absolute impartiality" was fundamental to their approach.
He said: "That is why, after very careful consideration, we have concluded that broadcasting an appeal for Gaza at this time is incompatible with our role in providing balanced and objective reporting of this continuing situation to our audiences in the UK and around the world."
The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real. This act is the essential condition for any kind of self-knowledge.
Carl Jung - Aion (1951). CW 9, Part II: P.14