BBC image tarnished by ‘poppy’ presenters

THE practice by BBC Northern Ireland of insisting that all their TV broadcasters and presenters wear the poppy while at work must surely tarnish the image of impartiality which the BBC likes to portray of itself.

The common practice of intimidation in the workplace in the North by displays of sectarian flags and emblems was supposed to have ended following the signing of the Belfast Agreement.

Without question, the wearing of the poppy has overtly unionist overtones, and the money raised by the selling of the poppy is used to provide support for British ex-servicemen, some of whom would have served in the North during the Troubles, including those soldiers who were involved in Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972 and the Ballymurphy massacre in Belfast in 1971.

Many nationalists would find this offensive and a considered attack on their dignity.

Following the introduction of the McBride Principles in 1989, which included the banning of provocative political emblems at places of work, all public bodies in Northern Ireland, including the BBC, voluntarily agreed to implement a ‘neutral’ workplace in attempts to end sectarianism which was endemic in the North.

Curiously, the BBC World Service bans their presenters from wearing the poppy in the workplace in case it might cause offence to people overseas. They should extend that policy to the North.

Tom Cooper

Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16