TV FIRM WON'T DO ANOTHER PROGRAMME
TV firm won't do another programme despite anger
By Noel McAdam
THE TV company which offended bomb-torn Omagh has disappointed the town again, it was revealed today.
Carlton Television said it cannot promise another programme to make up for its disastrous live broadcast five days after August 15 horror blast.
And it is not producing a promotional video for the district council to help boost the area.
The London-based company said it had responded "swiftly and sensitively" to the barrage of complaints about the programme - but planned nothing more.
Omagh DUPcouncillor OliverGibson said, however: "I haven't given up. I am determined to pursue this with them to the bitter end."
Mr Gibson, who lost a relative, Esther Gibson, in the bomb atrocity added: "I have the full backing of the council which believes Carlton should make some recompense."
A Carlton spokesman said: "There are no current plans to do a further programme because it is not within Carlton's remit to make any such programme because it is a decision the ITV network.
"It may have been mentioned verbally, but there has been no formal request for a promotional video.
"We have responded individually in what we consider to have been a sensitive and understanding way to those who have written to us."
The programme caused a storm of protest. UTV, which broadcast the network programme, distanced itself from the broadcast.
Political Development Minister Paul Murphy said it was unbalanced, trite and had trivialised the tragedy.
The Northern Ireland Office also voiced its concern and disappointment over the programme and angry viewers condemned it as "glitzy" and "awful".
Freelance journalist Ted Oliver, who appeared on the programme along with a number of those who had been bereaved, said: "They barely got a word in and some were not even asked to speak, as politicians trotted out the same old cliches."
The Carlton spokesman added that letters had been dealt with swiftly and the company had taken the very serious issues raised "on board".
By Noel McAdam
THE TV company which offended bomb-torn Omagh has disappointed the town again, it was revealed today.
Carlton Television said it cannot promise another programme to make up for its disastrous live broadcast five days after August 15 horror blast.
And it is not producing a promotional video for the district council to help boost the area.
The London-based company said it had responded "swiftly and sensitively" to the barrage of complaints about the programme - but planned nothing more.
Omagh DUPcouncillor OliverGibson said, however: "I haven't given up. I am determined to pursue this with them to the bitter end."
Mr Gibson, who lost a relative, Esther Gibson, in the bomb atrocity added: "I have the full backing of the council which believes Carlton should make some recompense."
A Carlton spokesman said: "There are no current plans to do a further programme because it is not within Carlton's remit to make any such programme because it is a decision the ITV network.
"It may have been mentioned verbally, but there has been no formal request for a promotional video.
"We have responded individually in what we consider to have been a sensitive and understanding way to those who have written to us."
The programme caused a storm of protest. UTV, which broadcast the network programme, distanced itself from the broadcast.
Political Development Minister Paul Murphy said it was unbalanced, trite and had trivialised the tragedy.
The Northern Ireland Office also voiced its concern and disappointment over the programme and angry viewers condemned it as "glitzy" and "awful".
Freelance journalist Ted Oliver, who appeared on the programme along with a number of those who had been bereaved, said: "They barely got a word in and some were not even asked to speak, as politicians trotted out the same old cliches."
The Carlton spokesman added that letters had been dealt with swiftly and the company had taken the very serious issues raised "on board".
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0437
Published Date: 26-Sep-98
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