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BBC ends 'blackout' of Loughinisland No Stone Unturned film coverage

The Loughanisland No Stone Unturned documentary is showing in cinemas across the north
The Loughanisland No Stone Unturned documentary is showing in cinemas across the north The Loughanisland No Stone Unturned documentary is showing in cinemas across the north

BBC NI has ended an apparent blackout of coverage of a major new documentary about the Loughinisland massacre.

Pressure had been mounting on the broadcaster to explain why its news output had failed to cover the release of a highly acclaimed film about a UVF attack that claimed the lives of six Catholic men as they watched a World Cup game in a pub in the Co Down village in 1994.

The documentary, No Stone Unturned, went on release at cinemas across Ireland last Friday.

While it was reviewed by BBC Radio 4’s The Film Programme, with an interview with director Alex Gibney, there has been criticism of BBC Northern Ireland’s lack of news coverage.

Yesterday however Radio Ulster's Talkback devoted around an hour to the documentary and carried an interview with Mr Gibney.

He told how he felt compelled to make the film because he was "moved by attempts by families...to get to the truth and justice" which seemed "very poignant".

Irish News security correspondent Allison Morris was also invited to take part in a panel discussion about the documentary.

Alex Gibney's film delves into collusion between the loyalist killers and the police, who many believe have been involved in a subsequent cover up.

It also names three men believed to have been involved in the murders.

The documentary has received widespread coverage from other media outlets in recent weeks.

However Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard was among those to criticise the lack of coverage by BBC NI.

He described yesterday’s development as “absolutely positive” but said he still intends to attend a prearranged meeting with BBC chiefs today to discuss the issue.

“There is an onus on them (BBC NI) as a public broadcaster to put their position to the public.”

A BBC spokeswoman said: “The BBC has reported extensively on the murders that took place in Loughinisland.

“This coverage has been detailed and wide-ranging and has been ongoing over a considerable period of time.

“And we will continue to report this story and any new, or significant, developments relating to it.”