I’ve spent the last hour and more watching Talkback coming live from Belfast Central Library. The programme has been on the air for 40 years, so naturally the good things it’s done – allowing the voices of the public to be heard, interviewing journalists and politicians – were celebrated. But the gaps were nothing short of appalling.
No mention of Barry Cowan, a brilliant broadcaster who chaired the early Talkbacks. Or of his friend David Dunseith, admired on every side for his sober impartiality. No mention of the voices that were not alllowed to talk back – or talk at all. I’m referring to the ban on Sinn Féin voices from 1988-1994 and the ludicrous voices of actors like Stephen Rea coming out of the mouth of Gerry Adams and others. Surely they were embarrassed into at least mentioning it? Nope.
And finally, why were some voices heard regularly, and then dropped into oblivion with no reason given? Yes I know I’m talking about myself. No BBC person explained, in writing or speech, why I was suddenly persona non grata. Yes, yes – the airwaves were well rid of me. But I can’t be the only one who was regularly heard and then suddenly not heard. Who decides what voices talk back on Talkback? Now there’s an item I’d like to hear Talkback talk about.
Maybe I’ll ask Malachi O’Doherty.
Very good jude
Thank you, James…
No Jude, please, the less I hear from Malachí the better.
To be fair, the past presenters were indeed referred to right at the outset of the broadcast.
Malachi’s views are awful. That’s why he has been on Talkback so often.
I thought it was because he has the perfect face for radio