24 January 2009 – BBC/Gaza Rally. Tony Benn’s Speech outside the BBC

Embargo: 1.30 pm, Saturday 24 January 2009

Press Release

THE RT HON TONY BENN SPEAKING AT A MEETING OUTSIDE THE BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE, PORTLAND PLACE, SAID THIS AFTERNOON [SAT JAN 24]:

“The decision of the BBC to refuse to broadcast a national humanitarian appeal for Gaza, which has left aid agencies with a potential shortfall of millions of pounds in donations, is a betrayal of the obligation which it owes as a public service.

“The destruction in Gaza and the loss of the lives of over a thousand civilians and children, has shocked the world as Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, made clear, when he saw the devastation for himself.

“The human suffering that the people of Gaza has experienced over the last few weeks has appalled people who have seen it for themselves on their television screens.

“To deny the help that the aid agencies and the UN need at this moment in time is incomprehensible and it follows the bias in BBC reporting of this crisis, which has been widely criticised.

“I appeal to the Chairman of the BBC Trust to intervene to reverse this decision to save the lives of those who are now in acute danger of dying through a lack of food, fuel, water and medical supplies.

” *********

Stop the War Coalition on behalf of the Coalition’s President, Tony Benn

0207 229 0779

0794 110 2163