The appeal is to raise money for emergency supplies in Gaza More than 170 MPs have now put their names to parliamentary motions criticising the BBC and Sky for not broadcasting a charity's Gaza appeal. The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) wants money to send aid following the recent Israeli assault. Both broadcasters insist that airing the three-minute film would threaten their reputation for impartiality. Donations to DEC doubled to a total of £1m, after ITV, Channel 4 and Five showed the appeal on Monday. Impartiality Labour MP Richard Burden tabled an early day motion - used by MPs to demonstrate parliamentary support for particular causes - after Sky announced it was joining the BBC in refusing to show the appeal. Another motion tabled calls on: "Sky and the BBC to reverse their decision and broadcast the campaign, publicising the details of the DEC appeal and the means whereby members of the public may donate to it". Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza humanitarian appeal: Launched by UK charities on 22 January to raise money for Gaza aid relief and reconstruction Participants: Action Aid, British Red Cross, Cafod, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision Information on 0370 60 60 900 or at DEC website

Mark Thompson on Gaza appeal The humanitarian battle BBC Gaza appeal row reaction The BBC director general Mark Thompson has said the decision not to show the film was taken because the corporation: "Could not broadcast a free-standing appeal, no matter how carefully constructed, without running the risk of reducing public confidence in the BBC's impartiality in its wider coverage of the story". The head of Sky News, John Ryley, made a similar statement, saying that broadcasting the film would be "incompatible" with the channel's objective role. The Disasters Emergency Committee, which represents more than a dozen aid agencies, wants the money to buy food, medicine and blankets for residents of the beleaguered territory. The UN has also announced an appeal for £428m to help people affected by Israel's military offensive in Gaza.



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