BOMB SURVICORS DEMAND APOLOGY
Bomb horror survivors demand apology over TV show
By Dan McGinn
VICTIMS' families and survivors of the Omagh bomb are to press this week for an official apology from Carlton Television over a live discussion programme broadcast in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity.
Aftermath International Northern Ireland, a victims' support group, will submit a report to the Independent Television Commission this week demanding an apology from Carlton for the programme Thursday Night Live.
The report contains the initial findings of an investigation into the programme's handling of the bombing.
The live discussion programme, hosted by Nicky Campbell, prompted over 1,000 complaints from viewers and was described as "trite" by Political Development Minister Paul Murphy.
As the studio discussion cut between audiences in London and Omagh, many of the participants were furious that they had been denied the opportunity to speak in the programme.
There was also anger at a viewers' telephone poll which was accused of trivialising the bombing.
Commenting on the report, Aftermath International director Karen McBride said the initial findings of the probe were being sent to the ITC to "begin the process of addressing the pain and anger stirred by the programme".
"The investigation, so far, has involved discussions with nearly all the political parties - we have only the SDLP and Sinn Fein to meet - and is also based on letters we have received from participants in the show and victims' relatives angered by what they saw.
"Carlton, for their part, have cooperated with our investigation and I would hope that, at the very least, an official apology would be in the offing.
"We have also suggested that the programme makers assist in a promotional video for Omagh."
Aftermath International is also considering issuing a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Commission.
A spokeswoman for the ITC would not comment on Aftermath's document but confirmed they had received a "number of complaints about the Carlton Television programme".
By Dan McGinn
VICTIMS' families and survivors of the Omagh bomb are to press this week for an official apology from Carlton Television over a live discussion programme broadcast in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity.
Aftermath International Northern Ireland, a victims' support group, will submit a report to the Independent Television Commission this week demanding an apology from Carlton for the programme Thursday Night Live.
The report contains the initial findings of an investigation into the programme's handling of the bombing.
The live discussion programme, hosted by Nicky Campbell, prompted over 1,000 complaints from viewers and was described as "trite" by Political Development Minister Paul Murphy.
As the studio discussion cut between audiences in London and Omagh, many of the participants were furious that they had been denied the opportunity to speak in the programme.
There was also anger at a viewers' telephone poll which was accused of trivialising the bombing.
Commenting on the report, Aftermath International director Karen McBride said the initial findings of the probe were being sent to the ITC to "begin the process of addressing the pain and anger stirred by the programme".
"The investigation, so far, has involved discussions with nearly all the political parties - we have only the SDLP and Sinn Fein to meet - and is also based on letters we have received from participants in the show and victims' relatives angered by what they saw.
"Carlton, for their part, have cooperated with our investigation and I would hope that, at the very least, an official apology would be in the offing.
"We have also suggested that the programme makers assist in a promotional video for Omagh."
Aftermath International is also considering issuing a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Commission.
A spokeswoman for the ITC would not comment on Aftermath's document but confirmed they had received a "number of complaints about the Carlton Television programme".
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0505
Published Date: 17-Nov-98
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