UK Channel 4's Paralympics Opening Ceremony Coverage an insult to other nations

by DJ Gaths

2012 August 30 09:41:57 | 3745 Views

Tags

Paralympics,

Ingabe ikuphatheleni i-MDC, njalo kusizani ukuyivotela? | 2013 May 13 17:03:55 | 3050 views
Ikuphatheleni iMDC, kusiza ngani ukuyivotela? | 2013 May 08 19:28:47 | 2848 views
MDC-T on course | 2013 March 27 14:05:12 | 6750 views
People will vote for a party with sustainable economic programmes | 2013 March 04 02:36:52 | 7538 views
Introducing: Election (2013) campaign articles | 2013 March 02 11:08:41 | 6107 views

Most Viewed

Prophet Uebert Angel upsets T.B Joshua's followers | 2013 February 24 10:20:20 | 41131 views
Prophet T.B. Joshua's prophecies for 2013 | 2013 January 01 12:26:15 | 21406 views
Obama's wife is a Zimbabwean! | 2013 April 01 12:51:57 | 20693 views
'If anyone was defending Nkomo, it was I. I was the last to leave Zapu,' says Mugabe | 2013 February 19 15:02:19 | 11295 views
Mpofu and SK Moyo up for Presidency | 2013 January 17 16:37:36 | 11119 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.

Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.

Source: DJ Gaths