Children In Need

[Madgeorge]

The Countryfile tv programme this evening was devoted to Children In Need.

Will the BBC now allow other equally deserving charities an hour of airtime on their publicly funded nationwide broadcasting outlet?

 

 

[gingejbee]

Isn't it a BBC-organised charity? Would you expect other charities to publicise CIN or other rivals?

[Madgeorge]

I thought BBC was supposed to be unbiased?

[jackthehat]

It is but as been said CIN is a charity organised by the BBC and many programmes are given over to it at this time of year.

[Buenchico]

Children in Need doesn't directly provide funding to support young people. Instead it raises funds to be donated to other relevant charities.  i.e. 'other equally deserving charities' already benefit from Children in Need.

[Madgeorge]

But not through direct advertising on the BBC. If they advertise one shouldn't they allow others a free hour publicity?

[mushroom25]

how would you define a deserving charity, George?

[Madgeorge]

RNLI

MND research 

Etc etc

[barry1010]

The BBC does mention and highlight charities during its fundraising for Children in Need, lots of them.

 

[THECORBYLOON]

From their website,

"We use the money raised to support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 1,500 local charities and projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.

In the last grant year alone, your support helped change the lives of over 426,000 children and young people facing disadvantage, right here in the UK." [emphasis added]

[Buenchico]

There are over 170,000 registered charities in the UK, plus countless more 'good causes' (such as school parent-teacher associations, local wildlife groups and GoFundMe or JustGiving beneficiaries).  It would be impossible to give all them an hour's airtime!

[david small]

BBC unbiased? If you believe that, I've got a bridge for sale.

[Canary42]

No doubt Mad George you will shortly be complaining about the BBC air time being given to the Royal British Legion (not to mention flaunting of poppy badges by newsreaders etc) in preference to other war veteran charities such as Help For Heroes. 

[Madgeorge]

Unlikely!

I was merely making the point that the BBC is publicly funded, not by choice, but is using funds to shamelessly plug its own charity arm.

Isn't there something in the charter that forbids advertising products?

[Madgeorge]

Advertising and asking for money.

[THECORBYLOON]

This is a link to their current Charter,

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/about/how_we_govern/2016/charter.pdf

Good luck!

[barry1010]

The BBC has been raising money for children every year since 1927.

You call it advertising, but it isn't. Advertising involves receiving money from the company/organisation to promote it. This doesn't happen.

It is no different from the Beeb trailing its upcoming programming between shows.

Don't forget they also host Red Nose Day telethon for  Comic Relief .

I don't understand how anyone can complain about either when the aim is to help children's charities 

[THECORBYLOON]

They do weekly appeals on Radio Four so mind and add that to your list of complaints.

Some folk can claim Gift Aid on their donations so that means HMRC is involved in this sorry affair.

How far up does this BBC scandal go???