
Orange Order hits out at ‘inaccurate, sensationalist and divisive' media coverage
The statement also criticised recent coverage around the cancellation of a cross-community sports event at North Down Cricket Club last week and said this newspaper had 'erroneously reported the cost of policing the 2025 Twelfth'.
Responding to the statement from the organisation, a spokesperson for the Belfast Telegraph said: "The Belfast Telegraph reports on issues across Northern Ireland without fear or favour and will continue to do so.
'We are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation and any complaints about our journalism can be made directly to us.
"In relation to the Twelfth, we featured extensive coverage, as we do every year, including three separate supplements across the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life.
"We have investigated one factual inaccuracy brought to our attention by the Orange Order statement and are happy to correct it as soon as possible.'
In their statement, the Orange Order referenced a story published in the Sunday Life at the weekend on the back of a political row around the cancellation of children's sports event organised by North Down Cricket Club in Comber – branding the story 'victimisation'.
The organisation also criticised media coverage of the Portrush Sons of Ulster band parade which took place during The Open golf tournament on the north coast, claiming it 'provided another opportunity for sections of the media to demonise the unionist community and our culture'.
Criticising BBC NI, the Orange Order said their reporting of the cancellation of the North Down Cricket Club in Comber was 'relentless and unbalanced' and said the broadcaster's coverage of the Twelfth continued to "marginalise Orangeism".
Responding in a statement on their website, a BBC NI spokesperson said its coverage of the Twelfth reflected "their scale and significance for those taking part".
"We provided extensive, cross-platform coverage of the Orange Order's 12 July events," they added.
"Our multiple news reports were informative and impartial.
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Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
DUP demands Sinn Féin action on republican bonfire while facing ‘hypocrisy' claims over loyalist pyres
This newspaper first reported that a person was hospitalised after an incident at the site in Derry's Meenan Square last week. On Radio Foyle this morning, East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell accused Sinn Féin of being 'in absentia in the past few days'. He said that 'everybody knows every year that this bonfire causes a problem and a series of problems on occasions'. Mr Campbell added that, in previous years, the bonfire has contained offensive items such as poppy wreaths and flags, and that shots have been fired in the vicinity. He said there 'needs to be a statement of intent from Sinn Féin that they intend to work with the police and with the local community in the Bogside to make sure that doesn't happen this year'. Mr Campbell pointed to the close proximity of the unionist Fountain estate as well. It comes after DUP MLA Gary Middleton warned of a 'void of political leadership', saying it is time Sinn Féin 'stepped up and made clear this situation is unacceptable'. He said the bonfire has been 'a source of serious concern for some time, causing disruption, raising safety fears'. However, the SDLP said 'it is a bit rich to hear the DUP call for leadership around bonfires given their failure to deal with these issues in other areas and their refusal to consider any kind of regulation in the past'. The Bogside bonfire is due to be lit in mid-August at the site managed by Apex Housing, with £11m redevelopment plans repeatedly delayed because it cannot find a contractor willing to remove bonfire materials. Construction is not due to begin until next year. The DUP was asked if Mr Middleton or Mr Campbell have condemned loyalist bonfires including the Fountain pyre that contained a sign reading 'Taigs out' beside crosshairs in the run up to the Twelfth. The party has not responded. On Radio Foyle, Mr Campbell was also asked if his position could be viewed as 'hypocritical' as his party opposed the removal of a bonfire in south Belfast which was built on a site containing asbestos and reportedly posed a separate risk to the power supply to local hospitals. He responded by saying DUP councillors worked on the ground to ensure there were no problems and criticised 'hyping in the media'. Watch: Controversial Village bonfire in Belfast goes ahead after council order for removal Addressing criticism, Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson said the planned 'anti-community bonfires' in Derry are in stark contrast to the hundreds of positive alternative events taking place in the city this summer. 'There is no place for these bonfires in our society which attract anti-social behaviour, and threaten the health and wellbeing of local residents," she added. 'Their safety must come first. Hundreds of positive events are set to take place right across Derry this August. 'Fantastic work is being done by a wide group of organisations to celebrate art, sport, music, our heritage and culture, while also discussing and debating the important issues of the day. 'Derry is a city bursting with pride and potential. The images portrayed this summer must project a community that is working together to move forward and build a better future. 'We have an incredible story to tell. Let's ensure it continues to be told in the right way.' Last year, Union flags, a King Charles coronation flag, and an Israeli flag were displayed on the pyre along with offensive banners, prompting the PSNI to confirm it was treating the incident as a hate crime. A year previously, police launched an investigation after shots were fired near the site. In 2021, posters placed on the bonfire made reference to former PSNI chief Simon Byrne and murdered Catholic officer Ronan Kerr. Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: 'The SDLP's position is clear that we would prefer there to be no bonfires taking place in our city, but the Executive's failure to regulate bonfires means that depressingly, and predictably, communities continue to be challenged by these issues every summer. 'In the absence of an agreed way forward, steps will have to be taken to manage this bonfire safely so that it passes off with minimal harm to our environment and the local community. 'The Executive Office's inability to progress the Meenan Square project is partly why we find ourselves in this situation again and the blame for that cannot be laid at the feet of young people in the Bogside.' Mr Durkan encouraged young people to participate in the many alternative events on offer as he made a direct plea to bonfire organisers 'to refrain from the burning of any flags, symbols or effigies'. "We have seen some sickening displays of hate recently and I really hope that young people here can rise above such activity,' he added. 'The SDLP will continue working with community leaders to make every effort to ensure this bonfire passes off without incident.'


Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Nelly Korda feeling 'cold' in Scotland as she hails Scottie Scheffler as 'one of a kind'
Nelly Korda speaks to the media prior to the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links |American excited to be making her ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It doesn't happen often, but Nelly Korda had 'underclubbed' on this occasion. 'I'm cold,' admitted the world No 1 as she spoke to a small group of reporters outside the Dundonald Links clubhouse, where a fresh west wind made it feel a tad chilly despite the sun hinting otherwise on the Ayrshire coast. 'As a Florida girl, I'm not used to it,' added the star attraction at this week's ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, smiling. 'But I always pack warm for these couple of weeks. My suitcases are heavy, so, yeah, I'm definitely going to go for some more layers.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nelly Korda speaks to the media prior to the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links |Korda is making her debut in the LET and LPGA co-sanctioned event, which is being staged at Dundonald Links for the fourth year in a row and also features Hannah Darling and Lottie Woad, two of the top UK amateurs in recent years, making their professional debuts on this occasion. 'I've never played links-style golf heading into The Open,' said Korda, referring, of course, to next week's AIG Women's Open, which is being held at Royal Porthcawl in South Wales for the first time. 'So we'll see how it goes.' Comparisons have been made between Korda, the dominant force in the women's game over the past couple of years, and Scottie Scheffler, who cemented his position at the top of the men's world rankings by landing his fourth major in total and second this season in The 153rd Open on Sunday. 'He's amazing,' said Korda of her compatriot. 'Obviously hats off to him. Not only is he a great golfer, but just also a great role model, as well, for kids to look up to. I think he's one-of-a-kind. He's just really succeeding at what he's doing. He's enjoying it. He has his values and it's just very exciting to see.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As was Korda going on a tear last year, winning six times before mid-May before adding a seventh title triumph later in the season. In comparison, this year is winless to this point. 'Yeah, obviously I would love to lift a couple trophies by now,' she admitted. 'But it's golf. You never know what's going to happen. As long as I'm sticking to my process and controlling what I can control, I'm just doing my best.' Korda has been paired with Woad, who signed off her amateur career in style by winning the KPMG Irish Women's Open then coming close to adding The Evian Championship, and Charley Hull in one of the marquee groups for the opening two rounds. 'Yeah, scheduling,' said Korda in reply to being asked if there had been a particular reason why she hadn't teed up in this event before. 'Honestly, it depends when Evian (one of the women's majors). In July, all the courses in my hometown in Florida are shut for the entire month. So there's really no point going home. So I really wanted to play this event this year, and it just kind of worked out perfectly. Everything for me is always kind of scheduling.' Some of her fellow players used the gap in between between France and here to do things away from golf. Lauren Coughlin, this week's defending champion, went to Sweden with Maja Stark, the US Women's Open winner this year. Former AIG Women's Open winner Georgia Hall, meanwhile, got engaged to former DP World Tour player Paul Dunne, the pair making the announcement in a post on social media from Gleneagles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I went to Prague,' said Korda of what she'd done on her week off. 'Yeah, obviously the longer you are on tour, I mean, the girls are getting to the age where they are getting married, they are getting engaged, having babies. So it's very exciting to see that and see people enter a new part of their life.' This is Korda's tenth year as a pro. 'I see some girls that were born in 2004, 2003 and I'm like, 'oh, my gosh',' she said, laughing. 'Definitely feel a bit of a veteran out here, but I'm still enjoying it as much as I was my rookie year.' It's no surprise to hear that pre-ticket sales for this week's $2 million event are up in comparison to previous editions here, even though fans had turned up in decent numbers to watch Lydia Ko, in particular, but also the likes of Hall and Charley Hull. Lottie Woad, who won the KPMG Women's Irish Open as an amateur earlier this month, is making her professional debut in this week's ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links | Mark Runnacles Korda's presence is a huge boost while knowledgeable Scottish golf fans will be keen to get a glimpse of Woad, who, before her recent exploits, won the Augusta National Women's Amateur last year, when she was also the leading amateur in the AIG Women's Open at St Andrews. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Yeah, obviously very excited,' said the 21-year-old English player. 'I've been thinking about making my professional debut for a long time and I'm excited to do it on home soil as well. It's going to be really fun. Being (at college) in America, I haven't played links golf that much this year, but I've played it a little bit since I've been back. I felt the transition to it is not too bad since I grew up playing amateur stuff on links golf and kind of know how to flight the ball down and stuff like that, which always really helps playing in the wind.' On her pairing with Korda and Hull, she admitted: 'It's going to be a fun couple of days. Growing up, I watched a lot of the English pros, so being paired with Charley is going to be really cool.'


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Scottie Scheffler comments see Darts star James Wade tee off over 'easyJet vs private jet'
James Wade said the lifestyles of top darts and golf players cannot be compared as he brought up Scottie Scheffler's mode of transport after his latest win at the World Matchplay James Wade claimed darts players have it tougher than elite golfers as he brought up Scottie Scheffler's private jet and his use of budget airlines. Wade made the comments after continuing his pursuit of a second World Matchplay crown with a fine 11-5 win over Wessel Nijman. The 2007 champion showed in victories over Joe Cullen (10-3) and then Nijman why he is a genuine contender for glory at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. Wade is one of darts' most thoughtful players, and after his win over Nijman, he struck a similar tone to Scheffler. Before his recent Open Championship victory, he said about how there was more to life than his chosen profession. Sharing his own priorities in life away from darts, Wade said: "There's more important things outside of this. I want to go and eat fish and chips with my wife after this. This isn't that important. "I think people are too amplified on what you're achieving and what you're doing. I know I'm one of the best, probably top 10 in the world at the moment. Now I go home to see my wife, Arthur and Alfred [his children]. I'm winning. None of this is important. It's really not." When made aware of Scheffler's comments, Wade went on a tangent about top golfers' luxury lifestyles compared to that of leading darts players. He added: "I'm not really interested in what another golf player says because golf players aren't even close to being on the pressure or the pedestal that darts players are put upon. "You can't compare that. When he gets in his private jet... he doesn't have to get on an easyJet, he doesn't have to get on a happy bus, he doesn't have to do all those things. "So it's not comparable really. It's quite amazing that darts players achieve when they don't have that. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be on a private jet and use a backward [private] entrance at an airport. But I'm a darts player. I will use easyJet, Ryanair, because I am what I am. "It's nothing about money, it's just how they travel. Would you travel 12 hours to get to a floor tournament?" Before The Open, Scheffler delivered a surprisingly candid press conference where he confessed that golfing success didn't fulfil him and that he valued being a devoted husband and father above everything else. However, after claiming the Claret Jug for the first time, he claimed his remarks had been misinterpreted and stressed he wasn't disrespecting the sport or diminishing his accomplishments. He said: "I think it really underestimates what I was trying to communicate. Maybe I didn't do as effective a job as I hoped to in communicating that. At the end of the day, I have a tremendous amount of gratitude towards moments like these. "I literally worked my entire life to become good at this game and play this game for a living. It's one of my greatest joys of my life to compete out here. "To be able to win The Open Championship here at Portrush is a feeling that's really hard to describe. This is amazing to win the Open Championship, but at the end of the day, having success in life, whether it be in golf, work, whatever it is, that's not what fulfils the deepest desires of your heart. "Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh, my gosh, yes, this is a cool feeling. It's just tough to describe when you haven't lived it." Wade is set to face Gian van Veen, who dumped out defending champion Luke Humphries in the first round, in the Matchplay quarter-finals on Thursday.