Morning Extra - 26/01/2009

Is the BBC right not to broadcast a charity appeal for Gaza? The Corporation's under fire this morning from archbishops, government ministers and charity leaders, not to mention many members of the public. The BBC has so far received 10,000 emails and 1,000 calls of complaint about its decision not to show the Disasters Emergency Committee crisis appeal. Just yesterday, around 100 protesters occupied the entrance of BBC Scotland's Glasgow headquarters. Director General Mark Thompson says that by airing the appeal the BBC would risk reducing public confidence in its impartial coverage of the conflict. Is he right, or should bosses have a rethink?