The Bombing of Pan Am 103 review — a respectful telling of a complex atrocity
If you watched Sky's harrowing, horrifying drama Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, starring Colin Firth, then, only five months on, you may not feel like putting yourself through this heartache again. The timing of BBC1's The Bombing of Pan Am 103 does seem unfortunate and, some may think, random, given that it has been 37 years since the terrorist atrocity that killed 270 people, rather than the round number of 40, as is usually the way. But interest has been renewed because the May 12 trial in Washington of Abu Agila Mohammed Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi — a Libyan national accused of building the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 — has been delayed.
But this drama does differ. Sky's was from the
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Leader Live
8 minutes ago
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Sinn Fein minister urges BBC to ‘learn lessons' from Gerry Adams libel case
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Powys County Times
20 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Sinn Fein minister urges BBC to ‘learn lessons' from Gerry Adams libel case
Stormont's Finance Minister John O'Dowd said he welcomed the outcome of the high-profile case. Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded Mr Adams 100,000 euro (£84,000) when it found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome, warning it could have 'profound implications and potentially 'hinder freedom of expression'. Following the jury's decision, Mr Adams said his case had been about 'putting manners' on the BBC. The veteran republican claimed the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland and was 'out of sync' on many fronts in relation to the Good Friday peace agreement. The National Union of Journalists has described those remarks as 'chilling'. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, also said the case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws. However, Mr O'Dowd said the BBC reaction to the case indicated it was 'unwilling to learn lessons'. 'I welcome the judgment,' he told BBC Radio Ulster. 'I think it's a timely reminder that everyone has the right to defend their name in court. Gerry has been successful in his case and I think the BBC have lessons to learn, and they should instead of the knee-jerk reaction that we've heard thus far from them, I think they should take a time of reflection and reflect on that court judgment.' The minister was asked if Mr Adams' claims about the BBC upholding the ethos of the British state and being out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement reflected Sinn Fein's position on the broadcaster. 'I think it's a position that many in society hold,' he replied. 'There are many, many fine journalists from the BBC – there's no question about that. But I think the upper echelons of the BBC in the north and the reaction to the court judgment shows that they're unwilling to learn lessons. 'They're unwilling to reflect on their own role and responsibility. So, I think … this is a time for the BBC to reflect, and the upper echelons of the BBC to reflect, rather than some of the knee-jerk reactions we've seen from them thus far.'
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
BBC told to ‘learn lessons' from Gerry Adams libel loss
Gerry Adams won a libel case against the BBC over a 2016 Spotlight programme that alleged he sanctioned the killing of Denis Donaldson. A jury in Dublin awarded Adams 100,000 euro (£84,000), finding the BBC 's actions were not in good faith and were unfair. Adams stated the case was about "putting manners" on the BBC, claiming the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland. The BBC expressed disappointment with the outcome, warning it could hinder freedom of expression. Sinn Fein minister John O'Dowd welcomed the judgment and urged BBC management to reflect on the outcome and avoid knee-jerk reactions.
