A TRAVESTY OF TELEVISION
A travesty of television
Thursday evening. The last of -the 28 people butchered in the Omagh massacre had been laid to rest. We were struggling towards the end of the worst week in Northern Ireland's history, a week dominated by a universal grief, depression, horror and shock. Surely, at the end of such a week, the people of Omagh and of Northern Ireland could expect no more shocks, no more outrage, no more offence.
Wrong. I sat staring in disbelief at the TV as a so-called discussion programme Thursday Night Live Special unfolded on UTV. Made by Carlton TV, the programme was hosted by Nicky Campbell, a minor game show host. Given the format and content of the programme, a game show presenter was a suitable choice.
The main "discussion" took place in a London studio with a link to a studio in Omagh. In that studio sat a number of the people so tragically bereaved or injured in the explosion together with other local Omagh people.
Their grief was sidelined as Campbell frowned, grimaced and patronised his way though the agonising 60 minutes. Every brief sound-bite style interview was designed to elitic a 'yes or no' answer, "will the peace process work?" The people of Omagh, as they began to describe their harrowing experience, were interrupted just as they bravely tried to express their feelings.
The programme culminated in a tasteless telephone poll where people all across the UK were invited to give their "informed" verdict on whether our peace process would work.
The whole broadcast was an insult to the memory of those who so sadly lost their lives. What was the point of it? Why did it have to be broadcast on the day of eight funerals, the day after 16? Why did it have to be broadcast from a studio in London by people who clearly don't understand or care? Why couldn't such a programme, if it had to be made at all, be handled by one of the many local TV journalists who, like the local press and radio, have reported on the week's heartbreaking events with the greatest sensitivity and respect?
The local people and politicians who participated in the programme looked uncomfortable throughout. I cannot imagine the courage it took for the bereaved and injured to go into a studio and speak - but they deserved better than this.
I was glad that the final say fell to Mr Pat McDonald, chairman of Omagh Council. He couldn't hide his revulsion at the way the programme was conducted, condemned the "politicking" and described it as an exercise in "circus-making." As the applause rose around Mr McDonald from the people in Omagh, the injured and the bereaved, we were left with the prophetic words of Nicky Campbell in London.
"I m sorry, that's all we've got time for"
JOE PUBLIC Banbridge.
Thursday evening. The last of -the 28 people butchered in the Omagh massacre had been laid to rest. We were struggling towards the end of the worst week in Northern Ireland's history, a week dominated by a universal grief, depression, horror and shock. Surely, at the end of such a week, the people of Omagh and of Northern Ireland could expect no more shocks, no more outrage, no more offence.
Wrong. I sat staring in disbelief at the TV as a so-called discussion programme Thursday Night Live Special unfolded on UTV. Made by Carlton TV, the programme was hosted by Nicky Campbell, a minor game show host. Given the format and content of the programme, a game show presenter was a suitable choice.
The main "discussion" took place in a London studio with a link to a studio in Omagh. In that studio sat a number of the people so tragically bereaved or injured in the explosion together with other local Omagh people.
Their grief was sidelined as Campbell frowned, grimaced and patronised his way though the agonising 60 minutes. Every brief sound-bite style interview was designed to elitic a 'yes or no' answer, "will the peace process work?" The people of Omagh, as they began to describe their harrowing experience, were interrupted just as they bravely tried to express their feelings.
The programme culminated in a tasteless telephone poll where people all across the UK were invited to give their "informed" verdict on whether our peace process would work.
The whole broadcast was an insult to the memory of those who so sadly lost their lives. What was the point of it? Why did it have to be broadcast on the day of eight funerals, the day after 16? Why did it have to be broadcast from a studio in London by people who clearly don't understand or care? Why couldn't such a programme, if it had to be made at all, be handled by one of the many local TV journalists who, like the local press and radio, have reported on the week's heartbreaking events with the greatest sensitivity and respect?
The local people and politicians who participated in the programme looked uncomfortable throughout. I cannot imagine the courage it took for the bereaved and injured to go into a studio and speak - but they deserved better than this.
I was glad that the final say fell to Mr Pat McDonald, chairman of Omagh Council. He couldn't hide his revulsion at the way the programme was conducted, condemned the "politicking" and described it as an exercise in "circus-making." As the applause rose around Mr McDonald from the people in Omagh, the injured and the bereaved, we were left with the prophetic words of Nicky Campbell in London.
"I m sorry, that's all we've got time for"
JOE PUBLIC Banbridge.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0280
Published Date: 26-Aug-98
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