Correspondence with 'BBC – Complaints'

 - which at least received some BBC attention:

The THIRD Letter:

To the BBC/ Dear Ms. Mellon,

Thank you for your e-mail. I realise that you must be busy.

I understand that everything cannot be said in a short report but anything I hear is the implication of poor Palestinians. The atrocities against the Israeli civilians do not get your media time or detail. Did you know that a 'Palestinian' man and a woman accused of being informants to the Israelis were murdered? The woman was shot dead by her own brother and the bodies dragged through the street as a warning to others. Was this savagery reported?

Most countries agree that Hamas are terrorists. Were 9/11 and 7/7 not acts of terrorism? It is not bias to call a spade a spade. Any group who refuses to recognise THE democracy (the only real one in the Middle East) and who continually calls for her destruction should be roundly condemned.

I understand also that many people would want their pet project to be investigated or reported by the BBC but the sheer scale of the murder and persecution of Christians and those who convert to Christianity in Islamic countries is something that the public should be made aware of.   In fact there are so many incidents that it would be impossible for the BBC to report them all but surely these atrocities should be of concern to the BBC which reports news world-wide. Three schoolgirls beheaded by terrorists! If it was Muslim girls it would have received world wide coverage! We hear something of the terrible and horrific murders in Burma, Darfur etc. and quite rightly so but the public are kept in the dark about the plight of Christians. This is still a country whose heritage at least is Christian.

I still uphold my views that the BBC is biased.  Is this your only reply to my complaint? If so, may I take my complaint further?

Best wishes,

Annette Shaw

The SECOND Letter

----- Original Message ----- From: <info@bbc.co.uk To: ashaw2@blueyonder.co.uk  Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 8:08 AM

Subject: BBC Information

Dear Mrs Shaw

Thank you for your e-mail. Please accept our apologies for the delay in replying. We know our correspondents appreciate a quick response and we are sorry you have had to wait on this occasion.

I understand you were unhappy with a comment made about the relationship between Jews and Muslims by Roger Bolton during 'Feedback' on 14 May. I note you felt that Mr Bolton should not have only referred to Israel in the statement that he made.

It is important to stress that there is always a limit to the amount of detail that can be included in individual reports into the time available. BBC News journalist's choice has to be selective and no matter how carefully such decisions are made, they are always aware that some people may disagree with them. Unlike newspapers, news programmes do not have the luxury of the inside pages or specialist sections that enable newspapers to carry a wide range of reports.

Furthermore, while I appreciate that you felt that this statement was insufficient in summing up the conflict in the Middle East, I can assure you that BBC journalists are well aware of our commitment to impartial reporting. They are expected to put their own political views to one side when carrying out their work for the BBC. They seek to provide the information which will enable listeners to make up their own minds; to show the political reality and provide the forum for debate, giving full opportunity for all viewpoints to be heard.

With respect to your comments that the BBC refers to Hamas as "freedom fighters", I am afraid that I have been unable to trace any reference to this term made in any BBC News article or programme. Furthermore, with regards to the BBC not referring to Hamas as a terrorist organisation, the BBC has an obligation to be impartial, independent and accurate. For this reason, we use neutral language to describe news events, particularly in complex situations such as the Middle East where any appearance of bias would undermine our credibility.

However, I can assure you that we are explicit visually and verbally in our reporting of attacks such as suicide bombings, detailing the atrocities which have taken place, the effects on the victims and their families and the fact that no warnings are given. It is important to note that the audience can make their own judgements on how these organisations carry out their activities.

In relation to your suggestion for a BBC investigation into attacks on Christians who live in Islamic countries, as I am sure that you will appreciate that each year the BBC receives tens of thousands of programme ideas, many of which are very similar, and we can only use a small proportion. In order to prevent misunderstandings, I should make it clear that the BBC cannot accept any obligation to use one particular suggestion in preference to another.

Nevertheless, I do appreciate that you feel very strongly about this issue. Therefore, I would like to assure you that your comments and suggestion have been registered and has contributed to our daily log which will be made available to the 'Feedback' team and BBC management. Comments such as yours can help us in the future.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact the BBC.

Regards

Natasha Mellon BBC Information

__________________________________________________

The FIRST Letter,

To: the BBC  -  http://www.bbc.co.uk/  - World Wide Wonderland

{Title:} {FirstName:} Annette {LastName:} Shaw

{Email:} ashaw2@blueyonder.co.uk {PhoneNo:} (01698) 301639 {Postcode:} ML3 7NQ {PostRegion:} ML3 {Country:} Scotland

{About:} Radio

{RadioStation:} Radio 4

{TransmissionDate:} 14/05/06

{Comments:} I object very strongly regarding the bias I have always felt (and was not reassured by BBC's denial) of BBC progammes about Israel.

On a radio 4 programme on Sunday 14 May Roger Bolton stated -

*Now of course the main problem between Jews and Muslims seem to be focused on the existence and behaviour of the state of Israel'.

What about Hamas who have sworn to destroy Israel. What about the fact that Islamic countries hate Israel because she is the only fully democratic country surrounded by enemies who want her pushed into the sea.

What about Palestinian responsibilty? They do not even have the state of Israel on their school maps and train school children on terrorism and probably encourage suicide bombing in summer camps.

Who danced and cheered after 9/11 - Palestinians, not Israelis!

Another point was made that Christians are not suffering under Hamas. If the reporter had looked properly he would have found that this was not the case.

I also get very angry that Hamas and other groups of terrorists are not terms as terrorists. They are not freedom fighters!

Israel are right to have the so called West Bank and Gaza as protection. After all at least three unprovoked wars were waged against Israel and she is entitled to protect herself.

Millions of pounds have disappeared at Arafat's death. He accumulated billions of pounds with money given by the U. S. E. U, U. N etc. When abroad he and his wife lived a life of luxury and instead of spending the money on refugees and the economy of the 'Palestian' people he bought weapons etc. to kill innocent Israelis.

On March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here's what he said: The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct 'Palestinian people' to oppose Zionism.

Another complaint I have is that I gave evidence to the BBC regarding the disgraceful murders of Christians In Islamic countries and asked that the BBC investigate this for one of their programmes. For example, four school grils were beheaded by Islamic terrorists, but apart from platitudes I was ignoed. We pay a licence fee for programmes and information. It is essential that this type of information is given to the public. Christians and converts to Christianity from Islam are being murdered, persecuated and discriminated against daily and very little is reported.

If this is not bias, then what is?

Yours faithfully,

(Mrs) Annette Shaw