How did the BBC struggle to report fairly, accurately and impartially on the conflict in Northern Ireland?
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Westminster
Department Name: Westminster Sch of Media & Communication
Abstract
The conflict of Northern Ireland, which engulfed the region for some 30 years from 1968 to 1998, was a period of political contention and sectarian violence which led to the death of more than 3,500 people.
Throughout the 20th Century, the constitutional status of Northern Ireland remained a heavily contested issue by the supporters of nationalism and those of unionism - the prior predominantly Catholic and the latter Protestant. Often residing as neighbours, these two communities frequently clashed, and due to the province's unionist majority, Catholics experienced severe institutional discrimination and underrepresentation. Throughout the late 1960s, a civil rights movement emerged addressing these issues. Peaceful marches were held but they soon developed into riots as they were met by Protestant counter-demonstrators and police barricades. The Battle of the Bogside is often seen as the epitome of these riots, with the Catholic Bogside residents on one side and the loyalist-controlled police force, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) on the other. Violence commenced on the 12th August 1969 and continued for three days. In reaction, conflict between Catholics and Protestants transpired across Derry and Belfast, leading to arson attacks, gun battles and forced evacuations from homes. By the 15th August, the situation had become so dire that the British Army were deployed to restore peace in the province, but unbeknown to the local residents, security forces and Government, Northern Ireland would not know peace for another three decades.
The significance of mass media in informing the public and shaping opinions can undoubtedly be noted in the context of Northern Ireland. British coverage of the Troubles, across primarily press and television, transpired into a 'propaganda war' within itself. Owing to the recognised significance of television images, major confrontation occurred between the Government and broadcast organisations in Britain. The BBC was especially significant, and its programming more scrutinised due to 'its unique local and national role,' as well as the understanding that it was independent from Government interest. Throughout the conflict, the BBC was repeatedly criticised by all sides as it strove to report accurately and fairly. Most significantly, the corporation struggled with pressure from the British Government, as attempts were made to threaten and intimidate the broadcasting body into supporting the official perspective. In 1976 during what became termed the 'Second Battle of Culloden,' BBC executives came under attack from numerous critics over the corporation's coverage of Northern Ireland. This included the Lord Chief Justice who contended that "the BBC would have given Satan and Jesus Christ equal time."
The BBC certainly experienced the most severe clashes with the Government in regard to the conflict, but the corporations' journalists and senior representatives were determined to resist the attempts of control. BBC executives such as Curran and Francis often came to the defence of programmes which they argued, offered a better insight into the conflict, maintaining that 'reporting the enemy does not mean supporting the enemy.' In 1979, a Tonight programme was aired featuring an interview with an INLA spokesman. The BBC Board subsequently faced a major attack from the Thatcher administration who were outraged at the decision to broadcast it. However, an editorial in the Guardian defended the programme writing that anyone who had seen it was "better informed about the nature of the Irish problem than he was before." There was intense Government fury over sympathetic coverage of Republicans, and in 1985 Prime Minister Thatcher condemned the media for offering the movement the 'oxygen of publicity.' Panorama Editor Roger Bolton contended however, that after a decade of violence, it was necessary for the British public to understand the situation, and 'that would mean talking to
Throughout the 20th Century, the constitutional status of Northern Ireland remained a heavily contested issue by the supporters of nationalism and those of unionism - the prior predominantly Catholic and the latter Protestant. Often residing as neighbours, these two communities frequently clashed, and due to the province's unionist majority, Catholics experienced severe institutional discrimination and underrepresentation. Throughout the late 1960s, a civil rights movement emerged addressing these issues. Peaceful marches were held but they soon developed into riots as they were met by Protestant counter-demonstrators and police barricades. The Battle of the Bogside is often seen as the epitome of these riots, with the Catholic Bogside residents on one side and the loyalist-controlled police force, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) on the other. Violence commenced on the 12th August 1969 and continued for three days. In reaction, conflict between Catholics and Protestants transpired across Derry and Belfast, leading to arson attacks, gun battles and forced evacuations from homes. By the 15th August, the situation had become so dire that the British Army were deployed to restore peace in the province, but unbeknown to the local residents, security forces and Government, Northern Ireland would not know peace for another three decades.
The significance of mass media in informing the public and shaping opinions can undoubtedly be noted in the context of Northern Ireland. British coverage of the Troubles, across primarily press and television, transpired into a 'propaganda war' within itself. Owing to the recognised significance of television images, major confrontation occurred between the Government and broadcast organisations in Britain. The BBC was especially significant, and its programming more scrutinised due to 'its unique local and national role,' as well as the understanding that it was independent from Government interest. Throughout the conflict, the BBC was repeatedly criticised by all sides as it strove to report accurately and fairly. Most significantly, the corporation struggled with pressure from the British Government, as attempts were made to threaten and intimidate the broadcasting body into supporting the official perspective. In 1976 during what became termed the 'Second Battle of Culloden,' BBC executives came under attack from numerous critics over the corporation's coverage of Northern Ireland. This included the Lord Chief Justice who contended that "the BBC would have given Satan and Jesus Christ equal time."
The BBC certainly experienced the most severe clashes with the Government in regard to the conflict, but the corporations' journalists and senior representatives were determined to resist the attempts of control. BBC executives such as Curran and Francis often came to the defence of programmes which they argued, offered a better insight into the conflict, maintaining that 'reporting the enemy does not mean supporting the enemy.' In 1979, a Tonight programme was aired featuring an interview with an INLA spokesman. The BBC Board subsequently faced a major attack from the Thatcher administration who were outraged at the decision to broadcast it. However, an editorial in the Guardian defended the programme writing that anyone who had seen it was "better informed about the nature of the Irish problem than he was before." There was intense Government fury over sympathetic coverage of Republicans, and in 1985 Prime Minister Thatcher condemned the media for offering the movement the 'oxygen of publicity.' Panorama Editor Roger Bolton contended however, that after a decade of violence, it was necessary for the British public to understand the situation, and 'that would mean talking to
