The BBC has rejected criticism from the TUV after one of its sports reporters appeared on screen with his face painted in the colours of the Armagh and Galway GAA teams.
Mark Sidebottom was presenting a report on the All-Ireland final on Wednesday night’s Newsline.
However, concerns have been raised by TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell.
He said the BBC would not have allowed one of its reporters to have their face painted orange when presenting coverage of the Twelfth.
But the BBC said it was “playfully intended in a report that was light-hearted in its content, tone and approach”.
Armagh face Galway at Croke Park on Sunday. The match will be broadcast live on the BBC and RTE.
But Mr McDowell, a Belfast City councillor, claimed many people had little interest in the match.
“The BBC are perfectly aware that the GAA is a contentious organisation which, by its association with republican terrorism by way of the naming of clubs, competitions and hosting of events, has repeatedly caused offence to innocent victims and division in Northern Ireland.
“It is inconceivable that a BBC reporter would have appeared on air with their face painted orange while reporting on the Twelfth celebrations.
“In fact, it’s scarcely believable that the BBC could carry a report on the Twelfth which wasn’t couched in negative terms because of the inherent bias of the organisation.
“Last night’s report was a clear breach of impartiality – which is hardly a surprise given the BBC’s record in recent months.
“However, there are many licence fee payers, including in Co Armagh, who want nothing to do with the GAA or the match on Sunday and for good reason. It’s high time our public service broadcaster realised that.
"The BBC has lost the confidence of the public. Last night was another example of why the licence fee should be abolished.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We had a live report from Davitt Park in Lurgan, reflecting local interest in/excitement about Armagh’s involvement in the upcoming GAA All-Ireland Final.
"We don’t think that the reporter’s decision to have the colours of both GAA teams on his face involved any breach of BBC impartiality.
"And it was playfully intended in a report that was light-hearted in its content, tone and approach.
"We know that Gaelic games are popular with, and important to, many BBC audiences – something that we seek to reflect within our output and as part of our reporting about all aspects of community and cultural life.”
by Budget_Dust9980
23 comments
Always the victim. Even when there is no victim, just great sport and a bit of fun.
It does really sound like the last howls of a dying animal. Long may it continue.
This really needs defending?
Typical REPUBLICAN BBC at it again?
I’m confused. Is he annoyed that a male sports pundit is wearing make-up, or because it’s 2024?
TUV dealing with the important stuff.
“TUV once again get upset that’s it’s not the 1970’s”
It’s funny he compares it to the 12th when there was that infamous year were kids had fucking “KAT” psinted on their faces.
Cry cry cry. It’s all they do
The same people who complained I guess are the same who complain about ‘cancel culture’
The news should only show the King 24/7 apparently.
Must be so draining being so miserable and bringing so much drama into one’s lives.
Shame they don’t provide the same light hearted coverage of the 12th
The Naz- sorry, the TUV are at it again. Colour me shocked (as well as Armagh orange and white).
This horseshit makes me want to leave this place and never come back. How pathetic
I can see now why Loyalism can readily identify with Israel; not just bc it’s the opposite of what themmuns identify with.
They don’t want recognition of any kind of culture from the other side. They want to systematically extinguish any celebration or pride people have of it.
They look at Netanyahu, who has a free pass from the us and uk to drop as many bombs as he wants on the other side without reproach, and think to themselves “now if only we had it that good”
Whether it be the placement of tricolours, nationalist figures, and signs calling for the ethnic cleansing of catholics on their bonfires every single year without anyone stopping it.
Whether it be the constant denial of having irish roadsigns and place names being displayed along with english (in which nearly all said names came from Irish originally)
Whether it be denying with all their orange tinted black hearts the development of a football stadium , simply because it’s being built a little bit too far out west for their liking
Or whether it be this case; where mere simple face paint causes such a pathetic yet completely unsurprising vitriol from a Loyalist councillor, elected by his community, to make it clear they will not only serve their kind and their kind only, but to also make it clear they will try their absolute fucking damnedest to make sure the other side is never treated fairly.
BBC IRA
Shouldn’t the TUV be happy that some proud Ulsterman can stick it to those Southern welps?
This is the peak of the TUV.
It cannot, I mean cannot, get any better than this.
Bringing up the NHS – nope; maybe raising the topic of infrastructure funding – no chance; some economic initiative ideas – on your bike sunshine; face paint commentary – bingo!
This is even better than that thing about the smoky bacon crisps.
A football final is not equivalent to the 12th of July
Pleasantly surprised that the BBC stood up for the reporter and didn’t just buckle at the first accusation of breaching impartiality
It’s disappointing the people that represent unionism, it’s not even like it’s just the odd glue bag, they’re all glue bags.
We aren’t all like this.
Impartial as far as I can see. Wore both teams. Good man
“He said the BBC would not have allowed one of its reporters to have their face painted orange when presenting coverage of the Twelfth”
and why exactly would a BBC reporter want to pain their face orange??? so silly you couldn’t make this shit up