29 Jan 2009

IAEI retaliates over BBC concert decision

1:53 pm on 29 January 2009

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed El Baradei, has cancelled two interviews with the BBC in protest at a decision not to broadcast a charity appeal for Gaza.

A spokesperson for Mr El Baradei says he believes the decision violates the rules of basic human decency.

BBC director-general Mark Thompson has said that broadcasting the concert could compromise the BBC's impartiality.

The BBC says it regrets Mr El Baradei's decision.

ITV, Channel 4 and Five broadcast the appeal on Monday. Sky News also chose not to air it, saying it would be "incompatible" with its objective role.