BBC defends decision to call Irish song ââ?¬Ë?sectarianââ?¬â?¢

[ian1964 10,720]

GERRY BRAIDEN

 

5 Aug 2011

 

SCOTLANDââ?¬â?¢S efforts to tackle bigotry in football have been thrown into further confusion amid an ongoing row between the BBC and Celtic supporters after the broadcaster labelled an Irish rebel anthem ââ?¬Å?sectarianââ?¬Â.

 

After a flood of complaints by Celtic fans about comments by presenters during the Scottish Cup Final in May, the BBC has stuck with its original position that The Boys of the Old Brigade, which celebrates the role of the 1920s IRA in the Irish War of Independence, is sectarian.

 

Andrew Bell, the BBCââ?¬â?¢s complaints director, has claimed the song ââ?¬Å?is a clear expression of the political dimension of the inter-communal divisions of western Scotland and if sung at a football match where it might be expected to give offence to others, can reasonably be described as sectarianââ?¬Â.

 

Mr Bell also claimed the ââ?¬Å?add-onââ?¬Â of references to the post-1970 Provisional IRA ââ?¬Å?transforms the song into something even more clearly sectarian and contemporaryââ?¬Â.

 

But doubt has been cast on the BBCââ?¬â?¢s definition of the phrase, with Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s highest-profile historian referring to a recent court case where the sheriff ruled the IRA was not ââ?¬Å?sectarian in intentââ?¬Â. The case saw charges of sectarian singing against two men chanting support for the IRA dropped.

 

Professor Tom Devine said the definition of sectarianism in the 2003 Criminal Justice Act was fit for purpose, adding that in recent months its meaning had been extended to the point of absurdity.

 

The row comes a week after Strathclyde Police gave assurances to Rangers fans that, as a rule, they would not be arrested if they sang Loyalist anthems The Sash and Build My Gallows as they contained no religious references.

 

Sources have also told The Herald the police are unlikely to arrest Celtic fans for singing Irish rebel songs when subject matter relates to anything pre-1969.

 

The Scottish Government, which has delayed the introduction of its anti-sectarian bill after claims it was being rushed through, has said all songs that are threatening or offensive to a reasonable person or which express or incite religious, racial or other forms of hatred, will be covered by the new offences.

 

However, the definition of sectarianism in the draft legislation is virtually the same as that in the 2003 Act.

 

Mr Devine said: ââ?¬Å?The problem with the debate over the past six months has been the self-limited definition of sectarianism, which now seems to be have been extended and a can of worms opened up.

 

ââ?¬Å?Thereââ?¬â?¢s a definite laxity about when you can define something as sectarian, which leads you into all sorts of curiosities and eccentricities and could be seen by overseas observers as humorous at Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s expense. Is signing the cross sectarian in certain circumstances, having a point of view on Ireland when itââ?¬â?¢s uttered at a football match or unfurling a Union or Ulster flag?

 

ââ?¬Å?Whatever else about the existing legislation it has a degree of clarity and what it needs is enforcement for the sake of Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s reputation.ââ?¬Â

 

Paul Brennan, who runs the influential website Celtic Quick News, added: ââ?¬Å?For me, who has asked for an end to all political singing at football, this [the BBC decision] is an enormous frustration, as it has already fortified the belief among some that objections to their singing is misguided and unjust.

 

ââ?¬Å?Not all definitions of the term imply prejudice, but it is wholly inappropriate to invoke such broad definitions of the word to support a highly prejudicial inference.ââ?¬Â

 

The BBC would not add to the response to the complaint from Mr Bell.

 

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/bbc-defends-decision-to-call-irish-song-sectarian-1.1115874

[Super_Ally 0]

Didnt read it all, fuck the herald, but the start of the tide turning?

[Guest Dutchy]

If the Scottish government can't see the need to curtail all religious activity outside of church or your home, then this will be with us forever.

[GovanAllan 0]

Won't be liking this up at torbett towers.

[Danny 0]

This disturbs me as much as some guy being done recently for sectarianism against Neil Lennon.

 

Apparently if you post that you hate Neil Lennon, you're being a bigot and PC Plod is after you.

 

This new legislation really is PC gone insane.