PROGRAMME MAKES OFFER PROFUSE APOLOGY
Programme makers offer 'profuse' apology
Record number of complaints follow 'tasteless' show
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
THE London-based television company at the centre of a controversial programme screened in the wake of the Omagh bombing, has "apologised profusely" over its handling of the tragedy.
Thursday Night Live, hosted by Nicky Campbell, brought relatives of victims of the bombing before a selected studio audience to discuss their experiences of the tragedy.
But what followed has been described as a tasteless "game-show" which showed no sensitivity towards those affected by the atrocity.
Over 1,000 calls of complaint were received by UTV - four times the previous record of complaints about a programme's content.
The hour-long show -produced by Carlton Television - featured a linkup between the company's studios in London and a small group at Omagh Leisure Centre, which included many of those who had been bereaved.
Among those taking part in the Omagh studio was local councillor, Pat McDonnell who this week said he had been contacted by Carlton bosses who had offered an apology for the screening.
"Personally, I have received a large number of complaints regarding the programme which many people found offensive.
"Before taking part in the programme, I asked for a preview of their proposals and they (Carlton) hinted that there would be some political involvement on various linkages, but that would be peripheral to the thrust of the programme.
"In other words, we thought this programme was about Omagh, the victims and the bereaved, for someone who had come from funerals to share their feelings.
"I hadn't lost anybody dear, in the close family sense. But we had people there, wonderful people, who Omagh would be proud of and who were handling awesome grief.
"These good people, both the bereaved and the injured and people who had been involved in the rescue, were humiliated. I'm angry they did this to our people.
"I also thought the whole concept of conducting a poll was dreadful. They were reducing our tragedy and grief to a game-show."
Cllr McDonnell added that representatives from Carlton had since contacted him to offer apologies about the controversial discussion programme.
"A member of the company rang me at the weekend to apologise profusely. They have asked if there is any way they can make amends in light of the complaints" he added.
DUP Councillor, Oliver Gibson - who lost a relative in the bombing - has also sharply criticised the insensitive nature of the programme.
And the local District Council has given its backing to a proposal from the councillor, that Carlton make amends by coming to Omagh and produce a video which will hopefully put the town "back on the map."
Cllr Gibson has also written to Political Development Minister, Paul Murphy voicing his anger at the transmission.
In his letter, the local councillor said he still felt personally hurt following the show.
"I represent the feelings of West Tyrone and Omagh, because over 1,000 telephone calls before 11 o'clock on Friday to UTV, supported in an
unprecedented manner, the outrage felt by us all" he added.
Omagh District Council is to write to Carlton Television, expressing its disappointment at the overall contents of the programme.
Criticism also came from Sinn Fein MP Martin McGuinness - one of those who took part in a link-up with the show - who said the manner in which producers approached the tragic events was "grossly insensitive" to say the least.
"When Sinn Fein was approached to put forward a spokesperson, we were given minimal and misleading information as to the format and content of the programme.
"If I had been informed accurately of how the programme was to be presented, I would have had nothing to do with it.
"I found the programme and the way in which the relatives and victims in Omagh were treated to be insulting.
"The manner in which the programme was presented was aimed more at boosting ratings rather than presenting sensitively, the trauma and tragedy experienced by the victims of the bomb.
"I believe that Carlton TV, the producers and presenters owe all the victims of the Omagh bomb an apology" he added.
Representatives at UTV headquarters in Belfast have moved to distance themselves from the programme.
A spokesperson for the Belfast-based television company confirmed they had received an unprecedented number of complaints following the screening.
The spokesperson said: "We are very unhappy about aspects of the programme and we have made our criticism clear to Carlton and to the 1TV network.
"We had asked Carlton to ensure that the programme would take full account of the dreadful experiences of the people in Omagh, but it clearly did not do so, and we very much regret this.
"We are very sorry that so many people were understandably upset."
RELATIVES of those killed and injured in the bombing who took part in the contentious TV debate have also slammed the programme's format.
Andrew Scott - whose daughter Louise was seriously injured in the blast - this week urged aggrieved viewers to lodge official letters of complaint.
"We were part of an audience at the Leisure Centre and although my daughter got the opportunity to speak, I felt sorry for those who had attended funerals of family members just the day before.
"We were led to believe the programme would portray to the people of the UK and Ireland, the grief and suffering endured by the people here.
"Instead of that, only seven minutes was devoted to the people from Omagh."
Mr Scott said that, in fairness, link-up presenter Johnny Irvine and researcher Julie Kennedy had appealed on behalf of the local panel.
"But unfortunately their requests fell on deaf ears" said Mr Scott.
He felt viewers should now pressurise Carlton into somehow righting wrongs.
One avenue of complaint, Mr Scott said, was through counselling organisation, Aftermath International Northern Ireland, who would take their case up with television watchdogs.
He urged anyone wishing to make a formal complaint, to write to the body, c/o Karin McBride, Shalom, 5 Dunleath Drive, Ballywalter, Co Down.
"But the sad reality is that the programme cannot be re-run, and the pain and suffering cannot be relayed" he added.
Record number of complaints follow 'tasteless' show
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
THE London-based television company at the centre of a controversial programme screened in the wake of the Omagh bombing, has "apologised profusely" over its handling of the tragedy.
Thursday Night Live, hosted by Nicky Campbell, brought relatives of victims of the bombing before a selected studio audience to discuss their experiences of the tragedy.
But what followed has been described as a tasteless "game-show" which showed no sensitivity towards those affected by the atrocity.
Over 1,000 calls of complaint were received by UTV - four times the previous record of complaints about a programme's content.
The hour-long show -produced by Carlton Television - featured a linkup between the company's studios in London and a small group at Omagh Leisure Centre, which included many of those who had been bereaved.
Among those taking part in the Omagh studio was local councillor, Pat McDonnell who this week said he had been contacted by Carlton bosses who had offered an apology for the screening.
"Personally, I have received a large number of complaints regarding the programme which many people found offensive.
"Before taking part in the programme, I asked for a preview of their proposals and they (Carlton) hinted that there would be some political involvement on various linkages, but that would be peripheral to the thrust of the programme.
"In other words, we thought this programme was about Omagh, the victims and the bereaved, for someone who had come from funerals to share their feelings.
"I hadn't lost anybody dear, in the close family sense. But we had people there, wonderful people, who Omagh would be proud of and who were handling awesome grief.
"These good people, both the bereaved and the injured and people who had been involved in the rescue, were humiliated. I'm angry they did this to our people.
"I also thought the whole concept of conducting a poll was dreadful. They were reducing our tragedy and grief to a game-show."
Cllr McDonnell added that representatives from Carlton had since contacted him to offer apologies about the controversial discussion programme.
"A member of the company rang me at the weekend to apologise profusely. They have asked if there is any way they can make amends in light of the complaints" he added.
DUP Councillor, Oliver Gibson - who lost a relative in the bombing - has also sharply criticised the insensitive nature of the programme.
And the local District Council has given its backing to a proposal from the councillor, that Carlton make amends by coming to Omagh and produce a video which will hopefully put the town "back on the map."
Cllr Gibson has also written to Political Development Minister, Paul Murphy voicing his anger at the transmission.
In his letter, the local councillor said he still felt personally hurt following the show.
"I represent the feelings of West Tyrone and Omagh, because over 1,000 telephone calls before 11 o'clock on Friday to UTV, supported in an
unprecedented manner, the outrage felt by us all" he added.
Omagh District Council is to write to Carlton Television, expressing its disappointment at the overall contents of the programme.
Criticism also came from Sinn Fein MP Martin McGuinness - one of those who took part in a link-up with the show - who said the manner in which producers approached the tragic events was "grossly insensitive" to say the least.
"When Sinn Fein was approached to put forward a spokesperson, we were given minimal and misleading information as to the format and content of the programme.
"If I had been informed accurately of how the programme was to be presented, I would have had nothing to do with it.
"I found the programme and the way in which the relatives and victims in Omagh were treated to be insulting.
"The manner in which the programme was presented was aimed more at boosting ratings rather than presenting sensitively, the trauma and tragedy experienced by the victims of the bomb.
"I believe that Carlton TV, the producers and presenters owe all the victims of the Omagh bomb an apology" he added.
Representatives at UTV headquarters in Belfast have moved to distance themselves from the programme.
A spokesperson for the Belfast-based television company confirmed they had received an unprecedented number of complaints following the screening.
The spokesperson said: "We are very unhappy about aspects of the programme and we have made our criticism clear to Carlton and to the 1TV network.
"We had asked Carlton to ensure that the programme would take full account of the dreadful experiences of the people in Omagh, but it clearly did not do so, and we very much regret this.
"We are very sorry that so many people were understandably upset."
RELATIVES of those killed and injured in the bombing who took part in the contentious TV debate have also slammed the programme's format.
Andrew Scott - whose daughter Louise was seriously injured in the blast - this week urged aggrieved viewers to lodge official letters of complaint.
"We were part of an audience at the Leisure Centre and although my daughter got the opportunity to speak, I felt sorry for those who had attended funerals of family members just the day before.
"We were led to believe the programme would portray to the people of the UK and Ireland, the grief and suffering endured by the people here.
"Instead of that, only seven minutes was devoted to the people from Omagh."
Mr Scott said that, in fairness, link-up presenter Johnny Irvine and researcher Julie Kennedy had appealed on behalf of the local panel.
"But unfortunately their requests fell on deaf ears" said Mr Scott.
He felt viewers should now pressurise Carlton into somehow righting wrongs.
One avenue of complaint, Mr Scott said, was through counselling organisation, Aftermath International Northern Ireland, who would take their case up with television watchdogs.
He urged anyone wishing to make a formal complaint, to write to the body, c/o Karin McBride, Shalom, 5 Dunleath Drive, Ballywalter, Co Down.
"But the sad reality is that the programme cannot be re-run, and the pain and suffering cannot be relayed" he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0162
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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