Opinion / Letters
UK Channel 4's Paralympics Opening Ceremony Coverage an insult to other nations
30 Aug 2012 at 06:41hrs | Views
I write to register my disgust and disappointment at the coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics Games.
As a Zimbabwean I was entirely disappointed at Channel 4 coverage of the entrance of the Zimbabwean Paralympics team and delegates.
Just before Zimbabwe's grand entrance into the stadium, the coverage switched to show an interview by Claire Balding of the British Team waiting just outside the stadium.
This was really unfair and shows Channel 4's utmost disregard of other nations. Considering the fact I had waited for a whole 2 hours for our nation's grand entrance I found it disgusting and disrespectful of the Channel to steal one of the most important moments of these games from the people of Zimbabwe and its Paralympians.
That I was disappointed by Channel 4's unfair and unbalanced coverage is an understatement.
This was the ultimate betrayal of our Paralympians who have worked hard over 4 years to earn the right to represent their country on the grand stand.
What channel 4 did is clearly wrong and goes against basic broadcast ethics and values such as fairness and impartiality.
Are they saying a haphazard interview by Clair Balding with the British Team is more important than other nations?
Are they saying waiting a few seconds for the small Zimbabwe delegation to be introduced was too long a time, or they simply did not want to cover Zimbabwe's entrance?
Do they find it fair to air adverts just before other nations' time in the limelight as was done on countless occasions last night?
This, coming from the main broadcaster of these games is really disappointing and shallow.
An evening of spectacle, excitement and a celebration of the human spirit was needlessly soured for the Zimbabwean people and those of others nations by a broadcaster who clearly couldn't care less.
Disappointing! That said the opening ceremony was inspirational and stunning and a great celebration of the Paralympics spirit.
Beverly Knight's performance on the night stood out and was a great end to the opening celebrations.
Source - DJ Gaths
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