BBC Northern Ireland steps back from Belfast Pride after complaints
by Jim Waterson, Guardian:
Traditional Unionist Voice party says broadcaster’s involvement in LGBT event showed bias.
BBC Northern Ireland has distanced itself from Belfast’s Pride event after some politicians in the region suggested that the broadcaster’s involvement could breach its impartiality rules by implicitly endorsing same-sex marriage.
Employees of the national broadcaster still took part in the event in Belfast on Saturday afternoon, but only after the broadcaster’s director in the region had made clear the BBC was not backing the LGBT event in a formal capacity.
Northern Ireland is the last remaining part of the British Isles where same-sex marriage is not legal, although MPs in Westminster recently voted to extend marriage equality to the region in the absence of the devolved assembly.
The BBC’s LGBT staff have previously complained about how the corporation covers such issues, with some suggesting that topics such as teaching children tolerance for LGBT people should not up for debate on the broadcaster’s programmes. They have also contrasted the corporation’s editorial stance with internal pledges to make the BBC a welcoming place for staff of all sexualities.
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