PSC update: BBC Trust rules in favour of censoring 'Palestine' plus Veolia campaigning

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PSC Update: BBC Trust rules in favour of censoring 'Palestine'

BBC Trust rules in favour of censoring 'Palestine'

The BBC has denied it was wrong to edit the word 'Palestine' from an artist's peformance on Radio 1Xtra, but has said its producers may have been 'overcautious'.

This final ruling issued at the end of January, marks the end of an eight month campaign by PSC to hold the BBC to account for its bias in censoring the lyrics 'I can scream Free Palestine for my pride/still pray for peace' from a rap performed by the artist, Mic Righteous, on 1Xtra.

In an extraordinary exchange of correspondence, during which the BBC's excuses for cutting out 'Palestine' grew ever more bizarre, one producer wrote: 'Referencing Palestine is fine, but implying that it is not free is the contentious issue'.

PSC would like to thank all our members who wrote to the BBC on this issue, and especially those who carried on the campaign for eight months.

Read PSC's press release, New Statesman article, the Washington Post and Left Foot Forward blog on the BBC's decision. PSC's Amena Saleem has written in Electronic Intifada today about the BBC's ingrained bias against Palestine. Follow the Twitter debate @PSCupdates

PSC campaigns actively against media bias, and the Mic Righteous campaign is just one of many we instigate and run. Our aim is to try and change media coverage of Palestine for the better. If you'd like to help our work please join PSC or donate today.

In this week's update:

Our new parliamentary update: this week a Conservative MP, Gary Streeter, says refugees in Lebanon should be able to "go home and get on with their lives"

Israel are seeking to write the dispossession of the Bedouin people into Israeli law

Palestinian Protestors mark Ban Ki Moon visit to Gaza saying ‘enough bias to Israel’. Ban Ki-Moon calls for Israeli gesture of ‘goodwill’ towards Palestinians.

PA criticises Israeli plans to offer financial incentives to new settlers as the US refers to them as ‘unconstructive’

How Israel has secured the Jordan Valley.

This Sunday 5^th February is Stop JNF ‘Greenwashing’ Day

Jim Lusted's funeral

Many of you will know that Lambeth & Wandsworth’s branch secretary, Jim Lusted, recently died. Full details of his funeral on Wednesday 8^th February are now available on the Lambeth & Wandsworth PSC site>>

More events online >>

Mon 6 Feb Film and discussion: Gaza Breathing Space - In London.

Mon 6 - Fri 10 Feb Solving the Israel-Palestine conflict - Prof. Norman Finkelstein UK Tour In Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Henley, London and Exeter.

Sat 11Feb BDS Action in London - Protest Against Veolia at Natural History Museum.

Wed 15 Feb The Palestine Wall Comes To Frome - Screening of: Budrus.

Veolia complicity increases its toxicity

Campaigners are increasing the pressure on Veolia, which supports Israel’s illegal settlements on Palestinian land by:

dumping Israeli waste on Palestinian land
building and helping run a tramway which links Jerusalem to illegal settlements
treating waste water from illegal settlements
discriminates against Palestinians applying for jobs

Protests are gathering against Veolia’s sponsorship of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. The London BDS report on the situation is available here. The next London protest against Veolia is on Saturday 11th February at the Natural History Museum!

A protest took place outside Science Oxford, which is also hosting the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Protests will be taking place every Saturday until 11 March.

Despite a series of failures by Veolia to win key contracts, it is currently bidding for a large contract in North East London. Please get involved if you live in one of the following London boroughs: Camden, Barnet, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest. Find more information on the campaign against Veolia on the BIG website or on the Hackney PSC website or email us.

PSC AGM

Omar Barghouti addressed the PSC AGM 2012 this year, receiving a standing ovation for his inspiring speech.

Thanks to all our members who attended the PSC AGM 2012. Several motions were passed with overwhelming support and these policies will guide our work for the year ahead. More details and photos and details of the event are available here.

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