22 May 2003 Edition
Disgraceful reporting aids securocrats
For the second Sunday in a row, there have been unsubstantiated reports in a number of Sunday papers, 'sourced' from unnamed British securocrats.
The Sunday Tribune in particular made a series of unsubstantiated allegations against an unnamed Sinn Féin politician, an 'exclusive' story which Vincent Browne has pointed out was picked up from the Sunday Herald in Scotland. As with the previous week's avalanche of allegations, no evidence was produced to substantiate any of the allegations. This is gutter journalism of the worst kind.
None of these allegations can be detached from the recent publication of the Stevens' report and recommendations that senior British securocrats be prosecuted for their role in assassinating citizens in the Six Counties. Nor can it be divorced from the political vacuum created by the cancellation by the British government of the Assembly elections.
The most telling element of the weekend reporting is the attempts by faceless members of FRU to wash their hands of the murder of Irish citizens. Those newspapers collaborating with FRU agents in this endeavour are in effect attempting to keep the lid on the decades of institutionalised collusion and to deny the truth to the families of the countless victims of British state killing in the North.
The Sunday Tribune in particular made a series of unsubstantiated allegations against an unnamed Sinn Féin politician, an 'exclusive' story which Vincent Browne has pointed out was picked up from the Sunday Herald in Scotland. As with the previous week's avalanche of allegations, no evidence was produced to substantiate any of the allegations. This is gutter journalism of the worst kind.
None of these allegations can be detached from the recent publication of the Stevens' report and recommendations that senior British securocrats be prosecuted for their role in assassinating citizens in the Six Counties. Nor can it be divorced from the political vacuum created by the cancellation by the British government of the Assembly elections.
The most telling element of the weekend reporting is the attempts by faceless members of FRU to wash their hands of the murder of Irish citizens. Those newspapers collaborating with FRU agents in this endeavour are in effect attempting to keep the lid on the decades of institutionalised collusion and to deny the truth to the families of the countless victims of British state killing in the North.