Fra Hughes writing for the blog of Jude Collins calls for the Nolan Show to be cancelled by the BBC.

The Nolan Show is one of BBC Northern Ireland flagship presentations. It has been at the centre of many controversies over several years with its presenter Stephen Nolan being accused by many of fomenting sectarianism through his style of presentation and the platform used by the program to engage with the public.

A recent Change.org petition explicitly calling into question the format used by the Nolan Show, has to date received the support of over 12,000 signatories.

Rather than addressing the issues brought forward by the petition, BBC Northern Ireland has condemned those who have signed the petition as being Trolls involved in a tactical smear campaign of the Nolan Show and by extension Stephen Nolan?

I signed the petition. I am not a troll. I am a concerned citizen who has deep reservations about the style and content of the Nolan Show on BBC Northern Ireland television, and the Nolan Show on BBC Northern Ireland Radio Ulster.

These reservations centre around the concerns raised in the petition, that the show heightens sectarian tensions within regional society through the use of a style of presentation that encourages rating growth, through the exploitation of the events and historical facts that divide us.

While every program and every journalist has the right to comment on the news, past events, current affairs and on future proposals that may affect society at large, when that journalist or broadcaster is employed by a National Television service, provided for and paid by the Citizens of the Nation, those views in the public arena can be dissected and examined by the license fee payer for accountability and impartiality. That must be the cornerstone of National reporting.

Content in News programmes must reflect the current reality of the situation and where possible be balanced and above reproach. Talk show style programs. of which the Nolan Show on television and BBC Radio Ulster are prime examples, have a different style of content. While they may reflect the different opinions expressed by different groups within society, the role of the presenter is to provide a space for all those who wish to be heard and have that opportunity, if appropriate.

When the presenter becomes the news, something has gone drastically wrong.

The very fact the 12,000 citizens, within the region of Northern Ireland, have chosen to sign a petition calling in to doubt the neutrality of the show, the credibility of the corporation and its charter, proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, we have a problem.

Many individuals, including myself, feel Stephen Nolan and the Nolan Show have crossed the line of journalistic neutrality in an attempt to boost ratings? A subject which is very important for them.

BBC Northern Ireland must take seriously a petition signed by over 12,000 people many of whom are licence fee payers, listen to BBC radio and watch BBC television.

They must not demonise, dismiss, or misrepresent those people as Trolls. It is dishonest, it is deceitful and discredits the individuals involved.

I have chosen not to listen to the Nolan Show on the radio nor watch the Nolan Show on television. I have found it to be partisan, imbalanced and at times it appears to embrace the sectarian underbelly of society here.

I personally feel the Nolan Show has overrun itself and is past its best use-by/best before date.

BBC NI should consider canning the show or rebooting the format.

I do not wish to see my license fee contribution spent on a program that on balance seems to have a more negative than a positive effect on society.

The 12,000 people who have signed this petition are but a small reflection of the true number of individuals who have deep reservations about the continuation of this show on BBC Northern Ireland.

One of the largest political parties in the North of Ireland refuses to engage with Stephen Nolan or the Nolan Show?

This political party has a huge mandate from its voters to reflect their views in public, in society, in government and in the arena of public opinion. The fact that this party reflects the deep concerns shown by many of its electors, that the Nolan Show may not be fit for purpose, together with the 12,000 individuals, who have signed the petition, many of whom are not party politically affiliated, must encourage BBC Northern Ireland, its senior managers and program staff to reconsider the position the Nolan Show has both on regional television and regional radio.

Perhaps it is time for a change. Perhaps it is time society here moved on and moved forward. Perhaps it is time to move on from the Nolan Show, the format and substance of a program that has 12,000 people questioning its neutrality and impartiality, which has a national political party, with huge local support, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, refusing to engage with the show.

Perhaps now is the time for a new format and a new presenter.

Here is the wording of the petition:

This petition calls for BBC NI to cancel the Nolan Show on the basis that it seeks to stir sectarian tensions for ratings. In doing so, it is detrimental to good community relations and building a shared society. The show is also irresponsible in providing a regular platform for illegal proscribed paramilitary organisation representatives and apologists to air their extreme views which are not representative of public opinion.

For example, on 3rd February 2021, the show provided a platform for an unelected representative of illegal proscribed paramilitary organisations to threaten violence relating to the NI Protocol. This is highly irresponsible and risks inflaming tensions which could lead to violence. However this is not a unique example and the show regularly platforms unelected representatives and apologists for paramilitary organisations.

By cancelling the show, BBC NI can restore some integrity to its broadcasting and provide a public service rather than a public disservice.

Cancel The Nolan Show

Fra Hughes writing for the blog of Jude Collins calls for the Nolan Show to be cancelled by the BBC.

The Nolan Show is one of BBC Northern Ireland flagship presentations. It has been at the centre of many controversies over several years with its presenter Stephen Nolan being accused by many of fomenting sectarianism through his style of presentation and the platform used by the program to engage with the public.

A recent Change.org petition explicitly calling into question the format used by the Nolan Show, has to date received the support of over 12,000 signatories.

Rather than addressing the issues brought forward by the petition, BBC Northern Ireland has condemned those who have signed the petition as being Trolls involved in a tactical smear campaign of the Nolan Show and by extension Stephen Nolan?

I signed the petition. I am not a troll. I am a concerned citizen who has deep reservations about the style and content of the Nolan Show on BBC Northern Ireland television, and the Nolan Show on BBC Northern Ireland Radio Ulster.

These reservations centre around the concerns raised in the petition, that the show heightens sectarian tensions within regional society through the use of a style of presentation that encourages rating growth, through the exploitation of the events and historical facts that divide us.

While every program and every journalist has the right to comment on the news, past events, current affairs and on future proposals that may affect society at large, when that journalist or broadcaster is employed by a National Television service, provided for and paid by the Citizens of the Nation, those views in the public arena can be dissected and examined by the license fee payer for accountability and impartiality. That must be the cornerstone of National reporting.

Content in News programmes must reflect the current reality of the situation and where possible be balanced and above reproach. Talk show style programs. of which the Nolan Show on television and BBC Radio Ulster are prime examples, have a different style of content. While they may reflect the different opinions expressed by different groups within society, the role of the presenter is to provide a space for all those who wish to be heard and have that opportunity, if appropriate.

When the presenter becomes the news, something has gone drastically wrong.

The very fact the 12,000 citizens, within the region of Northern Ireland, have chosen to sign a petition calling in to doubt the neutrality of the show, the credibility of the corporation and its charter, proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, we have a problem.

Many individuals, including myself, feel Stephen Nolan and the Nolan Show have crossed the line of journalistic neutrality in an attempt to boost ratings? A subject which is very important for them.

BBC Northern Ireland must take seriously a petition signed by over 12,000 people many of whom are licence fee payers, listen to BBC radio and watch BBC television.

They must not demonise, dismiss, or misrepresent those people as Trolls. It is dishonest, it is deceitful and discredits the individuals involved.

I have chosen not to listen to the Nolan Show on the radio nor watch the Nolan Show on television. I have found it to be partisan, imbalanced and at times it appears to embrace the sectarian underbelly of society here.

I personally feel the Nolan Show has overrun itself and is past its best use-by/best before date.

BBC NI should consider canning the show or rebooting the format.

I do not wish to see my license fee contribution spent on a program that on balance seems to have a more negative than a positive effect on society.

The 12,000 people who have signed this petition are but a small reflection of the true number of individuals who have deep reservations about the continuation of this show on BBC Northern Ireland.

One of the largest political parties in the North of Ireland refuses to engage with Stephen Nolan or the Nolan Show?

This political party has a huge mandate from its voters to reflect their views in public, in society, in government and in the arena of public opinion. The fact that this party reflects the deep concerns shown by many of its electors, that the Nolan Show may not be fit for purpose, together with the 12,000 individuals, who have signed the petition, many of whom are not party politically affiliated, must encourage BBC Northern Ireland, its senior managers and program staff to reconsider the position the Nolan Show has both on regional television and regional radio.

Perhaps it is time for a change. Perhaps it is time society here moved on and moved forward. Perhaps it is time to move on from the Nolan Show, the format and substance of a program that has 12,000 people questioning its neutrality and impartiality, which has a national political party, with huge local support, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, refusing to engage with the show.

Perhaps now is the time for a new format and a new presenter.

Here is the wording of the petition:

This petition calls for BBC NI to cancel the Nolan Show on the basis that it seeks to stir sectarian tensions for ratings. In doing so, it is detrimental to good community relations and building a shared society. The show is also irresponsible in providing a regular platform for illegal proscribed paramilitary organisation representatives and apologists to air their extreme views which are not representative of public opinion.

For example, on 3rd February 2021, the show provided a platform for an unelected representative of illegal proscribed paramilitary organisations to threaten violence relating to the NI Protocol. This is highly irresponsible and risks inflaming tensions which could lead to violence. However this is not a unique example and the show regularly platforms unelected representatives and apologists for paramilitary organisations.

By cancelling the show, BBC NI can restore some integrity to its broadcasting and provide a public service rather than a public disservice.

16 comments:

  1. I disagree with cancelling Nolan. I neither watch nor listen to the show and have invariably turned down invitations to talk on it or to him, even when he is broadcasting elsewhere.

    I think he sets out to inflame the public rather than inform it.

    That said, I think cancel culture is the most censorious of weapons and I note that Fra does suggest the possibility of an alternative - rebooting the format. There is merit in that. There would seem to be a need for The Show, not necessarily the Nolan Show, which is my view is a vanity project for the presenter.

    The BBC has no place dismissing as trolls people who sign a petition out of concern at the inflammatory style of Nolan. At the same time the urge to censor should never be encouraged.

    Thought provoking piece Fra, but a momentum like this sooner or later ends up at the door of all writers. I have seen you attacked when you made what seemed to me to be the most wise of observations.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can see both sides of the argument here, I saw him interview, sorry try to shout down Kieran Conway shortly after the release of South Side Provisional. Kieran was very cool an calm ,where as Nolan was spitting vitriol at him and could not contain himself. Im sure he did the same with Des Dalton. Its an average show at best, cannot believe the salary he is on though.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is the typical behaviour of a big sulky kid Sinn Fein created the problem by refusing to appear on the Nolan show radio or TV for the past year without realizing the long term ramifications Sinn Fein are now only realizing that by acting like the dog in the dogs manger and not having access to the most listened to or watched programme in the North is a massive mistake , like him or loathe him Nolan is the best conduit to get your point across to the public Sinn Fein and most DUP people struggle with Nolan because most of them struggle with the art of politicking , he keeps calling them out remember the DUP wanted to close him down because he wanted answers to RHI scam same as he wanted answers of Sinn Fein over the murder of Paul Quinn only difference between both parties was DUP members continued to appear on the shows, as the old saying goes “ its always better to be on the inside pissing out rather than on the outside pissing in “



    ReplyDelete
  4. Stephen Nolan is one of the best journalists we have ever had in Northern Ireland. His investigations into RHI and care home abuse and others have been persistent and deep. He brings a different type of showmanship to different platforms, so some audiences like him better on Radio Ulster than on the TV show or Radio 5 live. Some criticise him because he will shift argument on a live show, seeming to support one line and then turning to another interviewee taking the same line and going in hard. That’s how he manages the BBC requirement for balance. He is playful, egotistical and likes to be outrageous but this is a touch of garnish on the most outstanding radio journalism we have ever had here. I am a regular guest on the programme, paid for my contributions. That participation keeps me familiar with the style and content. Malachi O’Doherty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry my ID shows up as Admin. I don't know why that happens.

      Delete
    2. I think he was one of the worst. Obsessed with inflaming the public above informing it. He reduced his coverage to Red Top television. I treat it much like I do the Sun, a paper I refuse to open. I have always spoken to journalists wholly at odds with my views including yourself Malachi. But you did your job professionally. I have declined every single offer to talk to him. I was about to be interviewed on Radio 5 one evening and the guy said to me Stephen Nolan will be with you in a second. I simply said no: I never engage with him.
      Imagine somebody like Sam McBride was doing that show: it would be worth its weight in gold.
      But in all of this, I find cancel culture a really dangerous phenomenon and could never agree to the Nolan Shown being suppressed.

      Delete
    3. you signed off it on it anyway so it doesn't much matter. Thanks for the comment.

      Delete
    4. Anybody that hasn't worked out that it is the spooks that decide what the BBC presenters 'investigate' is lost. Btw Nolan was sporting a North Korean hairstyle on tv last nite......Kim Jung Nolan!

      Delete
  5. I found Nolan's interview with Patrick Maguire moving. I read Patrick's memoirs, and would recommend them to anyone.

    He also didn't let Adair off the hook when interviewing him. That said, there appears to be the same audience selection going on with his TV show as there is with BBC Question Time: find the nutters and have them perform.

    Patrick's art is also very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nolan is only a presenter seeking to improve his ratings by using the materials to hand. His programmes give a platform to idiots and by extension, hold a mirror up to the body politik and this society.
    To ban him and his presentation brand would be little more than shooting the messenger. There are many TV and radio presenters who I cannot abide but rather than seeking to have them banned I simply switch off.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I prefer Crawley and Talkback. It's basically the same subject matter but with less noise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. with less noise is an apt way to put it

      Delete
  8. Like him or loathe him censorship is never a wise move.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (I deleted the above because the Irish News link wasn't working, it is now.....Tomorrows show could get funny. Maybe a caller will curve ball him...or even Gregory Campbell...)

      Irish News Broadcaster Stephen Nolan sent "sexually explicit images" of a later convicted sex offender to other BBC employees working on his radio and television shows. An investigation led to a case to be answered under the BBC's disciplinary policy, with the organisation stating "appropriate action" was taken. The images were of Stephen Bear, a reality television personality currently in prison following his conviction for "revenge porn" and voyeurism after he circulated footage of his former girlfriend engaged in sexual activity.

      At least one former member of Nolan's team made a formal complaint of bullying against him in connection with his radio show, which was not upheld following an investigation, largely as all other members of the "tight knit group" found the radio show "a very good one to work on".

      However, two former staff members, neither of them in the group, received counselling for work-related stress. One was referred to a psychiatrist. Messages between the team do reveal a high level of sexual innuendo and a dislike for other arms of BBC NI, particularly news, and some its staff. Nolan himself refers to Talkback host William Crawley as a "devious c***". The newsroom more broadly was referred to in a similar way.........



      Same story Daily Mail ...........Gregory Campbell DUP MP for East Londonderry said: 'The scale and significance of the revelations printed today, were they related to any other area of life in Northern Ireland, would undoubtedly be headline news across the BBC. "Radio silence" just won’t cut it however in this instance.

      'Many people will obviously question the culture which appears to be prevalent within the programme where its presenter has sent unwanted sexual images to staff members.

      Delete
    2. (I deleted the above because the Irish News link wasn't working, it is now.....Tomorrows show could get funny. Maybe a caller will curve ball him...or even Gregory Campbell...)

      Irish News Broadcaster Stephen Nolan sent "sexually explicit images" of a later convicted sex offender to other BBC employees working on his radio and television shows. An investigation led to a case to be answered under the BBC's disciplinary policy, with the organisation stating "appropriate action" was taken. The images were of Stephen Bear, a reality television personality currently in prison following his conviction for "revenge porn" and voyeurism after he circulated footage of his former girlfriend engaged in sexual activity.

      At least one former member of Nolan's team made a formal complaint of bullying against him in connection with his radio show, which was not upheld following an investigation, largely as all other members of the "tight knit group" found the radio show "a very good one to work on".

      However, two former staff members, neither of them in the group, received counselling for work-related stress. One was referred to a psychiatrist. Messages between the team do reveal a high level of sexual innuendo and a dislike for other arms of BBC NI, particularly news, and some its staff. Nolan himself refers to Talkback host William Crawley as a "devious c***". The newsroom more broadly was referred to in a similar way.........



      Same story Daily Mail ...........Gregory Campbell DUP MP for East Londonderry said: 'The scale and significance of the revelations printed today, were they related to any other area of life in Northern Ireland, would undoubtedly be headline news across the BBC. "Radio silence" just won’t cut it however in this instance.

      'Many people will obviously question the culture which appears to be prevalent within the programme where its presenter has sent unwanted sexual images to staff members.

      Delete