CARLTON TELEVISION APOLOGISES
Carlton television apologises
CARLTON Television has apologised to the bomb victims, and bereaved families, incensed by its 'Thursday Night Live' programme, broadcast just days after the Omagh atrocity.
It was revealed yesterday that the TV company's Chief Executive, has personally written to local people to apologise for "any hurt" which may have been caused by the programme.
And in a further development, the company has now agreed to explore the concept of a promotional video of Omagh, as suggested by Oliver Gibson, of the DUP.
In a letter to the West Tyrone assembly man, Carlton's Chief Executive, Clive Jones, revealed that the company had apologised, but insisted that the contentious programme was both "responsible and moving".
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 link up between the company's studios in London and a small group at Omagh Leisure Centre, which included many of those who had been bereaved.
In his letter to Oliver Gibson who lost a relative in the bomb Carlton's Chief Executive stated "As I believe you are aware, it was not our attention to cause any upset to the people of Omagh in the wake of those dreadful events.
"We still believe that the programme was a responsible and moving one. We are, however, well aware that it provoked many complaints in Northern Ireland.
"I personally have written to people apologising for any hurt the programme may have, however inadvertently, caused."
The Chief Executive said he was willing to explore the idea of a promotional video about the town.
Speaking to the 'Herald', Oliver Gibson said he was delighted that "at last the Chief Executive of Carlton TV has deemed it expedient to apologise to the people of Omagh in the practical way suggested in August."
He has also welcomed the agreement to explore the video suggestion.
"Naturally I will hand this letter over to the Chief Executive of Omagh District Council and his team so that they can now negotiate with Carlton television on the best type of production that can be made to promote Omagh."
The assemblyman said he is also delighted that "the bereaved, maimed and injured, will now have the opportunity to assist in the promotion of the town, which so devastated them and theirs.
"At last and after some prevarication, Carlton has seen the light and brought some good out of an unnecessary evil" said Mr Gibson.
CARLTON Television has apologised to the bomb victims, and bereaved families, incensed by its 'Thursday Night Live' programme, broadcast just days after the Omagh atrocity.
It was revealed yesterday that the TV company's Chief Executive, has personally written to local people to apologise for "any hurt" which may have been caused by the programme.
And in a further development, the company has now agreed to explore the concept of a promotional video of Omagh, as suggested by Oliver Gibson, of the DUP.
In a letter to the West Tyrone assembly man, Carlton's Chief Executive, Clive Jones, revealed that the company had apologised, but insisted that the contentious programme was both "responsible and moving".
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 link up between the company's studios in London and a small group at Omagh Leisure Centre, which included many of those who had been bereaved.
In his letter to Oliver Gibson who lost a relative in the bomb Carlton's Chief Executive stated "As I believe you are aware, it was not our attention to cause any upset to the people of Omagh in the wake of those dreadful events.
"We still believe that the programme was a responsible and moving one. We are, however, well aware that it provoked many complaints in Northern Ireland.
"I personally have written to people apologising for any hurt the programme may have, however inadvertently, caused."
The Chief Executive said he was willing to explore the idea of a promotional video about the town.
Speaking to the 'Herald', Oliver Gibson said he was delighted that "at last the Chief Executive of Carlton TV has deemed it expedient to apologise to the people of Omagh in the practical way suggested in August."
He has also welcomed the agreement to explore the video suggestion.
"Naturally I will hand this letter over to the Chief Executive of Omagh District Council and his team so that they can now negotiate with Carlton television on the best type of production that can be made to promote Omagh."
The assemblyman said he is also delighted that "the bereaved, maimed and injured, will now have the opportunity to assist in the promotion of the town, which so devastated them and theirs.
"At last and after some prevarication, Carlton has seen the light and brought some good out of an unnecessary evil" said Mr Gibson.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1708
Published Date: 03-Dec-98
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