Chruinnigh slua Gaeilgeoirí lasmuigh d’oifigí an BBC i mBéál Feiste inné chun agóid a dhéanamh i gcoinne “neamhaird an stáisiúin ar Ghaeil agus ar éilimh phobal na Gaeilge”.
Dúirt Conchúr Ó Muadaigh, ón Tionól Dearg, go bhfuil leithcheal agus leatrom déanta ag an tseirbhís phoiblí ar chainteoirí na teanga…
Rinne an tseirbhís neamhaird de Chónall Ó Corra agus é ag cur ceisteanna faoi chearta Gaeilgeoirí le linn chláracha díospóireachta roimh an toghchán.
Bhí Cónall sa lucht féachana den chlár ‘BBCNI Leaders’ Debate’ ar an 4 Bealtaine agus ‘Election 2016 – The Good Friday Agreement Generation’ ar an 20 Aibreán.
Rinne sé iarracht le linn an dá chlár ceisteanna a ardú faoin Ghaeilge ach d’imigh láitheoirí na gcláracha uaidh nuair a luaigh Ó Corra ceist na Gaeilge.
Dúirt Conchúr Ó Muadaigh go bhfuil ag teip ar an BBC freastal cuí ar phobal na Gaeilge agus go bhfuil líon na n-uaireanta craolacháin curtha ar fáil don Ghaeilge iontach lag i gcomparáid leis an mhéid a chuirtear ar fáil don Ghàidhlig in Albain agus do Cymraeg sa Bhreatain Bheag.
Bhí Meon Eile i láthair ag an agóid, seo mar a labhair lucht eagraithe na hagóide linn…
D’iarr Meon Eile ráiteas ó BBCNI ar dhá cheist: (1) Cén fáth nár glacadh le ceisteanna Chónaill Uí Chorra faoi chearta teanga? (2) An raibh aon aisfhreagra acu faoin méid a dúradh nach bhfuil a dhóthain á craoladh acu i nGaeilge. Seo a bhfreagra ina iomláine:
“BBC Northern Ireland produces a range of Irish language content across television, radio and online. This reflects commitments detailed in the BBC’s current Charter arrangements. Our Irish language programming benefits from creative collaborations with different organisations, including Northern Ireland Screen and other broadcasters.”
“BBC Northern Ireland has range of content across radio and television which gives members of the public the opportunity to air their views and engage in debate. In the live Election 2016 – The Good Friday Agreement Generation television programme, the gentleman had his initial question answered by a politician and it was when he asked a further supplementary question it was explained that the BBC would look at the subject at a different time. Moments before the end of the live Election 2016 – The Leaders’ Debate programme, the presenter asked the audience if they had any final comments. When the same gentleman asked a question the presenter explained there would not be adequate time for it to be answered and apologised for this.”