Irish Republican News · November 11, 2003

BBC changes position on electoral coverage

Sinn Féin has welcomed the decision of the BBC to modify its position relating to election coverage in the light of a Sinn Féin court challenge.

On Wednesday, Sinn Féin launched High Court proceedings in Belfast challenging the manner in which the BBC were covering the Assembly election campaign.

South Belfast Sinn Féin Representative Alex Maskey said: ``It was clear that the guidelines they were using discriminated against the republican electorate.

``Yesterday the judge told the BBC to give their position mature reflection overnight. This morning they returned to the court and agreed to modify their position regarding election coverage.

``In light of this the case against the BBC would not proceed any further. However we will continue to monitor election coverage closely during the campaign and we will not hesitate to challenge overt discrimination again.''

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