IRA censorship - Parliamentary debate

Title

IRA censorship - Parliamentary debate

Genre

News report; Speech; Parliamentary debate

TX Date

19 Oct 1988

Year of production

1988

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Duration

00:04:04

Description

The British Government has banned IRA sympathisers - including legitimate political parties such as the Ulster Defence Association and Sinn Fein - from speaking on television or radio in Britain, and Sinn Fein MP, Gerry Adams has refused to take his seat in Parliament in protest. Home Secretary, Douglas Hurd has told the House of Commons that this ruling is vital and has denied that it amounts to censorship, but it has provoked a mixed response. Shadow Home Secretary, Roy Hattersley is critical, whilst Social and Liberal Democrat leader, Paddy Ashdown calls for an outright ban on terrorist organisations. Ulster Unionist security spokesman Ken Maginnis welcomes the action but deputy leader of the SDLP, Seamus Mallon says that Sinn Fein will use free speech as an election platform. Paul Rowley reports from Westminster.

Contributors

Roy Hattersley; Douglas Hurd; Paul Rowley; Paddy Ashdown; Ken Maginnis; Seamus Mallon

Keywords

Government; Terrorism; Great Britain; Television; IRA; Censorship; Political parties; Broadcasting; Sinn Fein; Mass media; Radio; Gerry Adams

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