TV SHOW CRITICISMS CONTINUE TO PILE UP
TV show criticisms continue to pile up
By Jonathan Turner
THE father of one of Omagh bomb victims has slammed the producers of an English tabloid TV show for their treatment of the tragedy.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan, was one of several relatives who agreed to take part in Carlton Television's Thursday Night Live last week.
But the show - which sparked an unprecedented level of complaints to UTV - angered viewers and participants after relatives were cut off in mid-sentence as they answered questions.
Mr Gallagher said those who were taking part in Omagh thought they would have the chance to talk freely about their suffering.
"We thought that nearly all the programme would be from Omagh but we hardly got a word in," he said.
"We wanted everyone to hear from us what it was like and how we have to keep trying for peace, but we hardly got a word in.
"Of all the very hard things we had to do this week, this was one of the hardest - and I think we were treated very badly." But Carlton Television have defended the show, saying they did all they could to ensure it was balanced.
"The producers have the utmost respect for the people of Omagh and their thoughts and feelings were uppermost in their minds when they made the programme," a spokesman said.
The show featured a link-up between Carlton's London studios and Omagh leisure centre, where many of those who had lost relatives in the bombing had agreed to take part.
Hosted by Nicky Campbell, the show also featured a telephone poll on whether or not the peace process would continue after the tragedy.
UTV, which broadcast the show, was swamped with over 1,000 calls of complaint - four times the previous record of complaints about a
programme.
UTV controller Alan Bremner admitted that the coverage was "ill-judged and unfortunate, undesirable and very regrettable."
"We were given assurances about how the subject would be handled but when we saw it, it was entirely insensitive," he said.
It is believed UTV has made a strong complaint to Carlton's management about the programme, as has the Northern Ireland Office.
Political development minister Paul Murphy, who was one of the guests, described the show as "unbalanced and trite."
Michael Gallagher was the first person to speak from Omagh on the programme. Ironically he thanked Campbell for allowing him to tell his story, just seconds before he was cut off.
At the end of the show, Omagh councillor Pat McDonnell said the people were still suffering from "politicking and circus-making".
He received a round of applause when he said: "We find your poll a frivolous exercise."
As he continued trying to speak about what the people of Omagh were enduring, he was drowned out by the show's signature tune.
Afterwards Mr McDonnell said: "The whole thing was disgusting and trivial.
"It was very hard for these people to come back here to face a TV camera for the first time and tell their stories.
"We were just turned into a bit of show-business to make some people in London look good. It was disgraceful."
Among the many people who were there but who were not called was DUP councillor Oliver Gibson, who lost a niece in the tragedy.
It is understood he stormed out of the studio, describing the show as an insult to those who died.
By Jonathan Turner
THE father of one of Omagh bomb victims has slammed the producers of an English tabloid TV show for their treatment of the tragedy.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan, was one of several relatives who agreed to take part in Carlton Television's Thursday Night Live last week.
But the show - which sparked an unprecedented level of complaints to UTV - angered viewers and participants after relatives were cut off in mid-sentence as they answered questions.
Mr Gallagher said those who were taking part in Omagh thought they would have the chance to talk freely about their suffering.
"We thought that nearly all the programme would be from Omagh but we hardly got a word in," he said.
"We wanted everyone to hear from us what it was like and how we have to keep trying for peace, but we hardly got a word in.
"Of all the very hard things we had to do this week, this was one of the hardest - and I think we were treated very badly." But Carlton Television have defended the show, saying they did all they could to ensure it was balanced.
"The producers have the utmost respect for the people of Omagh and their thoughts and feelings were uppermost in their minds when they made the programme," a spokesman said.
The show featured a link-up between Carlton's London studios and Omagh leisure centre, where many of those who had lost relatives in the bombing had agreed to take part.
Hosted by Nicky Campbell, the show also featured a telephone poll on whether or not the peace process would continue after the tragedy.
UTV, which broadcast the show, was swamped with over 1,000 calls of complaint - four times the previous record of complaints about a
programme.
UTV controller Alan Bremner admitted that the coverage was "ill-judged and unfortunate, undesirable and very regrettable."
"We were given assurances about how the subject would be handled but when we saw it, it was entirely insensitive," he said.
It is believed UTV has made a strong complaint to Carlton's management about the programme, as has the Northern Ireland Office.
Political development minister Paul Murphy, who was one of the guests, described the show as "unbalanced and trite."
Michael Gallagher was the first person to speak from Omagh on the programme. Ironically he thanked Campbell for allowing him to tell his story, just seconds before he was cut off.
At the end of the show, Omagh councillor Pat McDonnell said the people were still suffering from "politicking and circus-making".
He received a round of applause when he said: "We find your poll a frivolous exercise."
As he continued trying to speak about what the people of Omagh were enduring, he was drowned out by the show's signature tune.
Afterwards Mr McDonnell said: "The whole thing was disgusting and trivial.
"It was very hard for these people to come back here to face a TV camera for the first time and tell their stories.
"We were just turned into a bit of show-business to make some people in London look good. It was disgraceful."
Among the many people who were there but who were not called was DUP councillor Oliver Gibson, who lost a niece in the tragedy.
It is understood he stormed out of the studio, describing the show as an insult to those who died.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0176
Published Date: 24-Aug-98
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