BBC stands firm on refusal to air Gaza appeal
The director general of the BBC has defended the company's refusal to broadcast an emergency appeal for aid to help Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The broadcaster has come in for widespread criticism after claiming the appeal would breach its rules on impartiality and give the impression that it is backing one side in the Middle East conflict.
However, its refusal to broadcast the appeal has led to accusations of a pro-Israeli bias and has sparked a major backlash from politicians, church figures and celebrities.
The head of the Anglican Church, Dr Rowan Williams, has today joined a chorus of voices calling for a reversal of the decision.
The Golden Globe-winning actress Samantha Morton has also said she will never work for the BBC again unless it changes its "disgusting" stance on the issue.
Fifty British MPs have backed a parliamentary motion urging the BBC to screen the appeal, while thousands of people demonstrated against the corporation's decision in London over the weekend.
