We understand that there is a desire from our audiences to help give humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ content is also reflecting activity being undertaken by registered charities, community groups individual members of the public and businesses in this area. With this in mind, here is some guidance for content teams to consider, as they seek to reflect this activity.
The best place to direct audiences wishing to help is to the Disasters Emergency Committeeβs Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal which was launched by the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ on March 3rd. Please use the following form of words: The Disasters Emergency Committee has launched the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and you can find more details by visiting dec.org.uk. (Please note DEC is pronounced Dee Eee Cee (not βdeckβ).
The DEC, working through its partner organisations which are working on the ground in the affected areas, will be best placed to ensure that aid gets to those who need it the most and to do so safety and effectively.
- TV can use the GFX dec.org.uk
- You should not solicit donations directly from the audience.
- Never read out any other DEC donation details on air (eg text to donate) as these cannot be used without prior signoff by ITACU within the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ (ITACUProductionSupport@bbc.co.uk)
- It is important that there is a clear separation between our news coverage and reporting and the Appeal for aid. Therefore if you are a news programme, you should not trail the DEC Appeal directly after items about Ukraine.
- If your item is about people collecting items or money in other ways, please be aware that this may encourage our audience to donate to these or other such fundraising or aid giving initiatives. Given the nature of the current situation, many of these initiatives have sprung up outside of the regulated charity structure. Most of this response takes the form of effective community action. However, given the speed of the response, many initiatives may not have yet had detailed advice or checks. Some may have initial set up issues, logistical problems or be unable to cope with a huge level of response in a short space of time. In some cases they may be used by those attempting to carry out opportunistic fraud and scams. Teams should be reminded about the importance of making simple checks before covering stories in depth and giving out information for how to contact groups offering assistance. One key area to look for advice is the charity regulation sector, especially the Charity Commissionβs website which gives advice on donating safely. Specific guidance from the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator may be found here
If you need further advice, once you have read this guidance please contact Natalie Christian, Senior Adviser Editorial Policy on 07740 500603 or Emma Kingsley, Charity Appeals Adviser on 07756 501232
Please also note the following guidance for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ staff fundraising activity (off-air)
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ staff members may wish to raise money for charity, either individually, or as a group in off-air activities like fun runs or sponsored events. Staff are able to undertake activities organised by external organisations in a private capacity for fundraising activity for charitable purposes but not for campaigning or political action.
However, if staff wish to organise off-air fundraising events through the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ (such as through Gateway or as a group of people from a local radio station coming together to create an activity) then they must refer the proposed activity to the Charity Appeals Adviser and Senior Adviser Editorial Policy well in advance. This is necessary in order to have sufficient time to ensure that the appropriate due diligence is done for any charity which may be the beneficiary of such activity. It is also to avoid the perception of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ staff becoming the face of a charity and endorsing one charity over another.
Any such activity must not stray into the area of lobbying or campaigning and specific care must be taken in relation to staff who work in News and Current Affairs, in relation to due impartiality.