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24/05/2013
BBC Apologises For 'SF/IRA' Branding
The BBC has apologised after a sign appeared on a camera during the filming of last night's BBC Question Time program designating Education Minister John O'Dowd as being a member of 'SF/IRA!'.
The BBC said it was written by one of its technical staff for his own use.
Earlier Mr O'Dowd said: "Last night I had agreed to take part in the Question Time program on the basis of respect and equality.
"After the program was finished I was made aware of the floor plan pinned to a camera branding me a member of 'SF/IRA!'. This was not on the floor plan previously shown to me before filming.
"This is a serious issue. The 'SF/IRA' tag was one created at the height of the unionist murder campaign against my party colleagues in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was an attempt to justify attacks on Sinn Fein members and our families. For the BBC to adopt the tag 20 years into a peace process is beyond belief.
"Last night we lodged a formal complaint with the BBC in Belfast seeking an immediate explanation for the sign and what action is to be taken against those behind it. We await with interest their response. But one thing is for sure we will not let the BBC simply sweep this issue under the carpet."
(CD)
The BBC said it was written by one of its technical staff for his own use.
Earlier Mr O'Dowd said: "Last night I had agreed to take part in the Question Time program on the basis of respect and equality.
"After the program was finished I was made aware of the floor plan pinned to a camera branding me a member of 'SF/IRA!'. This was not on the floor plan previously shown to me before filming.
"This is a serious issue. The 'SF/IRA' tag was one created at the height of the unionist murder campaign against my party colleagues in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was an attempt to justify attacks on Sinn Fein members and our families. For the BBC to adopt the tag 20 years into a peace process is beyond belief.
"Last night we lodged a formal complaint with the BBC in Belfast seeking an immediate explanation for the sign and what action is to be taken against those behind it. We await with interest their response. But one thing is for sure we will not let the BBC simply sweep this issue under the carpet."
(CD)
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