Dermot Nesbitt: My concerns about BBC balance given its extensive coverage of border poll and neglect of unionist critique of Irish Sea border

A letter from the former Ulster Unionist MLA and Stormont minister Dermot Nesbitt:
By Letters
Published 24th Jun 2023, 08:50 BST
Updated 24th Jun 2023, 09:14 BST
The View on BBC One NI on June 8 2023, one of two consecutive weeks in which the entire programme discussed a united Ireland/border poll. The topic was also then discussed for 10 minutes the following week. From left Chris Donnelly, Patricia O'Lynn, Owen Polley and host Mark Carruthers. Screengrab, taken from the BBCThe View on BBC One NI on June 8 2023, one of two consecutive weeks in which the entire programme discussed a united Ireland/border poll. The topic was also then discussed for 10 minutes the following week. From left Chris Donnelly, Patricia O'Lynn, Owen Polley and host Mark Carruthers. Screengrab, taken from the BBC
The View on BBC One NI on June 8 2023, one of two consecutive weeks in which the entire programme discussed a united Ireland/border poll. The topic was also then discussed for 10 minutes the following week. From left Chris Donnelly, Patricia O'Lynn, Owen Polley and host Mark Carruthers. Screengrab, taken from the BBC

I read with interest Ben Lowry's article in Saturday's paper (‘Another week in which the IRA is allowed to advance on legacy,’ June 17, see link below). In particular I noted the reference to the BBC NI and its lack of balance. This aspect prompted me to write this letter.

Chronologically, the BBC's 'The View' devoted two programmes (June 1 and 8) entirely to a united Ireland/border poll. Last week's programme (June 15) continued the theme for a third week, though for only 10 minutes. It referred to aspects of constitutional and economic matters with non-political commentators, including the BBC's Economics and Business Editor. It was part of a BBC podcast.

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The BBC thematically dealt with one aspect of Northern Ireland's political issues. My concern relates to an apparent lack of overall balance by the BBC. For example, I have seen very little BBC coverage regarding concerns of hauliers who say that the so-called 'green lane' in the Irish Sea border is a misnomer because it is heavily fettered, as cited in my April 24 Belfast Agreement essay in this paper (‘UK, EU and Irish double standards on rights have helped cause stalemate,’ see link below).

There is yet another example where the BBC failed to consider an important matter: I have never seen the BBC analyse – in the same analytical depth as it did a border poll – the way the Northern Ireland Protocol breaks a fundamental principle of international law, namely the territorial integrity of a country by separating one part of the UK from the rest of it. This is not unimportant and requires consideration. Why has the BBC failed? Is it because such scrutiny would uncover issues that would support, in an objective manner, unionism’s criticisms of the Irish Sea border? Indeed, this fundamental principle is central to the policy of the United Nations, Council of Europe and the European Union (except when it involved Northern Ireland) To be balanced, the BBC needs to analyse the protocol in the context of international law. Unionists should have highlighted this breach of international law that governs relationships among states. They have only considered the Irish Sea border using domestic law, a process now concluded in the courts. But regardless of unionists, the BBC, a large broadcaster, should have analysed this important matter on its own initiative.

Dermot Nesbitt, Ex UUP, Stormont minister

Ben Lowry: Another week in which the IRA has been allowed to advance on legacy

Dermot Nesbitt: UK, EU and Irish double standards on rights have helped cause stalemate,

Related topics:BBCBen LowryIrish SeaIRAUnionistsIreland