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15/07/2003
Sinn Fein hits out at BBC Twelfth coverage
Sinn Fein representative Gerry Kelly has hit out at the BBC for airing this year's Twelfth celebrations.
Mr Kelly demanded that the BBC be designated as a public body and therefore subject to equality proofing.
He added: "Yet again this year the BBC spent public money presenting live coverage of the Twelth demonstrations. As is now common practice the sectarian ethos of the Orange Order was ignored as was the UVF and UDA banners and flags accompanying the Orangemen.
"Also ignored was the militarisation of Catholic areas to allow these parades to pass. The coverage was nothing more than a blatant promotion of the Orange Order at public expense."
Mr Kelly said that it was clear from this year's coverage that current arrangements regarding regulation were untenable.
"The BBC has for some time been resisting designation as a public body and therefore dodging equality proofing regulations. Sinn Féin have repeatedly raised this matter with the British government and the time has now come for them to act on this important matter," he added.
Mr Kelly's comments follow Saturday's annual Twelfth of July celebrations involving the Orange Order.
More than 60,000 Orangemen took part in parades at 18 locations throughout Northern Ireland with thousands more in attendance. The biggest parade took place in Belfast.
Earlier in the day a parade by lodges in north Belfast, near the nationalist Ardoyne area, passed off peacefully despite objections from local residents.
(MB)
Mr Kelly demanded that the BBC be designated as a public body and therefore subject to equality proofing.
He added: "Yet again this year the BBC spent public money presenting live coverage of the Twelth demonstrations. As is now common practice the sectarian ethos of the Orange Order was ignored as was the UVF and UDA banners and flags accompanying the Orangemen.
"Also ignored was the militarisation of Catholic areas to allow these parades to pass. The coverage was nothing more than a blatant promotion of the Orange Order at public expense."
Mr Kelly said that it was clear from this year's coverage that current arrangements regarding regulation were untenable.
"The BBC has for some time been resisting designation as a public body and therefore dodging equality proofing regulations. Sinn Féin have repeatedly raised this matter with the British government and the time has now come for them to act on this important matter," he added.
Mr Kelly's comments follow Saturday's annual Twelfth of July celebrations involving the Orange Order.
More than 60,000 Orangemen took part in parades at 18 locations throughout Northern Ireland with thousands more in attendance. The biggest parade took place in Belfast.
Earlier in the day a parade by lodges in north Belfast, near the nationalist Ardoyne area, passed off peacefully despite objections from local residents.
(MB)
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