between them over the programme. They ate probably telling As far as the Northern Ireland Office is concerned the need has long cone for such direct interference. This Week has been a favourite target for TIC BUSA soverlinent opposition for some time. Its reporter irammes towards the end of last year: Dil the Queen's visit, on conditions in Long Kesh and on lan Paisley. Only the one on Paisley escaped virulent criticism by the Government censorship and delay by But the programme which angered the authorities most was treatment of suspects in Castlereagh screened last Octoher. number suspects detailed the type of treatment witch Amnesty has now calareed on. The reaction of the authorities to the programme was immediate.
"VERY ANGRY' Northern Ireland Secretary Mason sent an official letter of protest to the IRA, und a statement from the Northern Ireland Office added that b was very angry indeed. In parliament Mason elaborated: reporters or television should operate in this fashion. Television are members of the BA who have a code of conduct.] am sorry they (the BA) allowed programme to go out The RUC joined the altack, saying We all fel that Thames Television is nas pur the lives of policemen here a aditional risk. Our Chief Constabl will not ler them get away with it.' Cuber public condenmations followed lions Aircy Neare Biges Davison of the Tories, and in the next couple ol weeks the on Thames Telerision and the fBA was acreased On 2 Novemher, Kenneth Newman, the Chief Constable of the RUC, had a special meeting with Lady Plowden on the Thames programme and tire days Tater Aires Neave had Hose meetus. Taken will the official letter of STASCHE clearly apress on the bosses of the fRA that such a programme should not He Amiesty GEORGE GALE, a columnist succentul propaganda campaign banned or interfered with, but this is the We did the oricinal investination. into Castleresgh last October and received a huge amount of political Mak for it. But what Amnesty has said not only programme. went The Northern Ireland Office got wind of our programme, and then Isned a 12-page statement. Thin was hefore the programme had gone out and before the Amnesty Report was The The Arrackey Report bes abri been attacked Government and there is no sign that elsewhere will be sopped.
This is not because Roy Mason is a One of John THE ACID TEST most serious.
whole situation.
our beyond it. although of the week." the Irish War public refused by lot. But people have the right le know what's going on in Ireland. There's been a cover-up about the When we try to shine a chink of light we are immediately pot under UTES UTE the Amnesty Report vinicated war andas position. the banning of the programme shows the The setion of the lechnicians was That was the best news sadist, but because through beating and torturing suspects this is the only way Britain can gel the confessions necessary to prove' they are winning Fortunately there are already plans well under way to hold the type of Amnesty ha: been This Interciational Tribunal on Britain's Presence in Ireland which is backed by leading trade union orpanisations in Treland and Britain, as well as a host of international figures. Socialist Challenge asks all its readers to buld thes Tribunal, which can be contacied c/c 18Z Upper Street, London NI More immediately on 9 July i demonstration takes place in London on the treatment of Irish politica prisoners and on their right to politica
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e a Lord last week. he Birthday Honours list. s to do with the censorship
SUPPORT PRISONERS