BBC Apologizes For Charity Slur

The BBC has apologized for reports that gave the impression that millions of pounds raised for Ethiopian famine relief were used by rebel groups to buy weapons.

The reports were aired in March on the Beeb’s “World Service” radio programme and focused on funds raised by the Band Aid music charity.

Irish singer and Band Aid head honcho Bob Geldof complained bitterly and challenged the BBC to substantiate the stories.

The BBC’s information was reportedly based on interviews with two former senior commanders from the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), who allegedly said an estimated 95 percent of the money intended to feed the starving was diverted to buy arms for rebels trying to topple the Ethiopian government.

Geldof told The Times of London it would be “a fucking tragedy” if people stopped giving to charity because of allegations made by the same broadcaster that inspired him to fight poverty and hunger in Africa.

In 1984 the former Boomtown Rats frontman put his music career on the backburner to raise funds for the region after seeing Michael Buerk’s report on how Ethiopia was desperate for famine relief.

Although the BBC contested some of the points made in the Band Aid Trust’s complaint, notably claiming it didn’t say Band Aid money was diverted, it did admit the report could have given that impression.

“We also acknowledge that some of our related reporting of the story reinforced this perception,” the BBC said in a statement Nov. 4. “The BBC regrets this and accepts we should have been more explicit in making it clear that the allegations did not relate specifically to Band Aid.”