Ask Charity Weblog

The askCHARITY team recently did some research for the Media Directory http://askcharity.org.uk/mediadirectory on newspaper charity appeals. The process of even finding out the information was tortuous. Most newspaper switchboards had no idea if their newspapers did a Christmas appeal and who dealt with it. When we did get to talk to someone who knew something they were often unhelpful and said very little about why a particular charity was chosen. We were shocked that so many newspapers had no clear application process or criteria. Many of the charities appeared to be chosen on an Editor's whim.

Posted by Charity at 04:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In a previous post we've blogged about the new organisation the Media Standards Trust which is "an independent, not-for-profit organisation that aims to find ways to foster the highest standards of excellence in news journalism and ensure public trust in news is nurtured".

Its got a great new website in beta and Martin Moore who runs the show, is interested in feedback http://www.mediastandardstrust.org/home.aspx

Posted by Charity at 09:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The BBC Trust (the replacement to the old Board of Governors) has just published a report on "Safeguarding Impartiality in the 21st century" http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/research/impartiality.html The report sets up a number of guiding principles including "Impartiality is most obviously at risk in areas of sharp public controversy. But there is a less visible risk, demanding particular vigilance, when programmes purport to reflect a consensus for "the common good" or become involved in campaigns". It's in this section (p54-)that they discuss and in the main condemn the BBC's involvement in Make Poverty History and Live8. They seem to justify broadcasting Live8 but also justify their refusal to show the Live8 films including the click. Given that the whole point of Live8 was that it was a campaigning concert, my feeling is that they should have refused to take it on and let another broadcaster have the opportunity. As it was, it sounds like a bit of a fudge. This is a really important report and will be essential reading for any campaigner keen to get the BBC on board.

Posted by Charity at 01:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As well as askCHARITY, we run Media Connections, a scheme to enable Charity PRs to get "work experience" in the media. Rob Dyson of Scope spent a week with BBC News and a week with Radio 4's You and Yours. He has written up what he learnt from the experience http://prandcommsnetwork.wordpress.com/. A key thing he points our is the importance of "pegs" - why the media should run your story at that time.

Posted by Charity at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A number of journalists are posting about a press release/letter from Ovarian Cancer Action encouraging people to buy Free Paris and Jail Paris lingerie with 50% of profits going to the charity. I can't find anything on this on the Ovarian Cancer Action site but the underwear company's site definitely advertises the offer http://www.miodestino.co.uk/boutique/section.php/151/0 . The journalists are to a man concerned about the association of a charity with a convicted drink driver "It's kind of irrelevant how much money they get from the company, rather that a good cause is linked to profiteering from a terrible role model".

Posted by Charity at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Young Foundation has published an in-depth report on "Civil Society's Role in Campaigning for Social Change" http://democracy.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/civil_society/publications/contentious_citizens_-_a_report_by_the_young_foundation. It's reported that, at the launch Geoff Mulgan, director of the Young Foundation, accused the Make Poverty History coalition of "throwing away thousands of supporters" at the end of its campaign and not channelling their support behind a new cause" but that doesn't seem to be in the report itself. It's interesting though...

Posted by Charity at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)