In my paper which has the topic ‘Bloody Sunday and its evaluation in the press’ I intend to give a chronological summary of the events preceding and following Bloody Sunday in order to frame the historical background. Furthermore is it my purpose to show how the British Press, in particular The Times and The Observer, cope with this topic immediately after it occurred. Next I will analyse how the British and the Irish press deal with the anniversaries of the occurrence. In this case I will concentrate on The Irish Examiner, The Irish Independent, The Telegraph and The Guardian. Finally I will compare their representations in the next item.
Table of Contents
- A Introduction
- B
- 1. Historical background
- 1.1 The Modern Troubles: Reasons and consequences
- 1.2 Bloody Sunday and its effects
- 2. 30.01.1972 and its coverage in the press
- 2.1 "The Observer" 31.01.1972
- 2.2 The Time
- 2.3 Comparison of the articles
- 3 Anniversaries of 'Bloody Sunday' and their coverage in the press
- 3.1 The Guardian 30.01.2002
- 3.2 The Telegraph 30.01.1997
- 3.3 The Irish Examiner 31.01.2000
- 3.4 The Irish Independent 31.01.1998
- 3.5 Comparison of the articles
- 4. "The Irish Examiner" 26.01.2000
- 4.1 Summary of the letter to the editor
- 4.2 Evaluation of the letter to the editor
- C Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to provide a chronological overview of the events surrounding Bloody Sunday, focusing on the historical context and the media's portrayal of the event both immediately following its occurrence and on subsequent anniversaries. The study analyzes the coverage in British and Irish newspapers to compare and contrast their respective representations.
- The historical context of Bloody Sunday within the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
- The immediate press coverage of Bloody Sunday and its impact on public opinion and government response.
- A comparative analysis of how the British and Irish press covered anniversaries of Bloody Sunday.
- The lasting impact of Bloody Sunday on Anglo-Irish relations.
- The role of the media in shaping the narrative and memory of Bloody Sunday.
Chapter Summaries
A Introduction: The introduction sets the stage by quoting Major Hubert O'Neil's assessment of Bloody Sunday as "sheer, unadulterated murder," highlighting the event's lasting impact on Northern Ireland and the strained relationship between Britain and the Irish nationalist population. It discusses the inadequate initial inquiry and the subsequent, expensive Saville Inquiry, emphasizing the ongoing controversy and the need for re-examination to potentially resolve the conflict. The role of the media in perpetuating the memory of the event and influencing public discourse is also emphasized.
B 1. Historical background: This section delves into the root causes of the Troubles, highlighting discrimination and unfair voting systems that fueled civil rights marches in Northern Ireland, mirroring similar movements in the USA. It details the violent responses from Unionists and the deployment of British troops in 1969, escalating tensions and leading to internment without trial in 1971. This policy, intended to suppress the IRA, proved counterproductive, increasing violence and fueling further grievances. The section underlines the discriminatory nature of internment and its condemnation as inhumane treatment.
B 2. 30.01.1972 and its coverage in the press: This chapter focuses on the immediate aftermath of Bloody Sunday and how newspapers like The Observer and The Times covered the event. It analyzes the initial reactions and interpretations, setting the tone for the lasting debate surrounding the event and its immediate consequences. The comparison of articles highlights varying perspectives and potential biases.
B 3 Anniversaries of 'Bloody Sunday' and their coverage in the press: This section examines how The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Irish Examiner, and The Irish Independent covered various anniversaries of Bloody Sunday. A comparative analysis reveals how the media's portrayal evolved over time, reflecting shifting political climates and perspectives on the event. The differing narratives and interpretations presented in these articles are examined.
B 4. "The Irish Examiner" 26.01.2000: This chapter focuses on a specific letter to the editor published in The Irish Examiner, providing a detailed summary and critical evaluation of its content and the arguments presented. The analysis likely considers the letter's contribution to the ongoing discussion and its reflection of public sentiment surrounding Bloody Sunday.
Keywords
Bloody Sunday, The Troubles, Northern Ireland, British Army, Irish Republican Army (IRA), media representation, press coverage, historical context, political conflict, Anglo-Irish relations, civil rights, internment, Saville Inquiry, sectarian violence.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Bloody Sunday Media Coverage
What is the overall focus of this academic paper?
This paper provides a chronological overview of Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland, focusing on its historical context and the media's portrayal of the event both immediately after its occurrence and on subsequent anniversaries. It analyzes British and Irish newspaper coverage to compare and contrast their representations.
What specific events and time periods does the paper cover?
The paper examines the historical background leading up to Bloody Sunday (January 30, 1972), the immediate press coverage of the event, and the coverage of various anniversaries of Bloody Sunday in different newspapers. Specific newspapers analyzed include The Observer, The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Irish Examiner, and The Irish Independent. A letter to the editor published in The Irish Examiner on January 26, 2000, is also analyzed.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the historical context of Bloody Sunday within the Troubles, the immediate press coverage and its impact, a comparative analysis of British and Irish press coverage across anniversaries, the lasting impact on Anglo-Irish relations, and the role of the media in shaping the narrative and memory of Bloody Sunday.
What is the purpose of comparing British and Irish press coverage?
The comparison aims to highlight differing perspectives and potential biases in the representation of Bloody Sunday, revealing how the event was framed and interpreted in different national contexts.
What sources are used in the research?
The primary sources are articles from various British and Irish newspapers published both immediately after Bloody Sunday and on subsequent anniversaries. A letter to the editor from The Irish Examiner is also analyzed.
What is the significance of the Saville Inquiry mentioned in the introduction?
The Saville Inquiry is mentioned as a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding Bloody Sunday. It highlights the inadequacy of the initial inquiry and the need for a thorough re-examination to potentially resolve the conflict.
What role did the media play according to the paper?
The paper emphasizes the crucial role of the media in shaping public opinion, influencing government responses, and perpetuating the memory of Bloody Sunday. The analysis explores how different media outlets presented varying narratives and interpretations over time.
What are some of the key historical events and factors leading to Bloody Sunday addressed in the paper?
The paper discusses the root causes of the Troubles, including discrimination, unfair voting systems, violent responses from Unionists, the deployment of British troops, and the policy of internment without trial. These factors are presented as escalating tensions and contributing to the violence.
What are the keywords associated with this paper's research?
Keywords include Bloody Sunday, The Troubles, Northern Ireland, British Army, Irish Republican Army (IRA), media representation, press coverage, historical context, political conflict, Anglo-Irish relations, civil rights, internment, Saville Inquiry, and sectarian violence.
- Quote paper
- Stephanie Wenzl (Author), 2003, "Bloody Sunday" and its evaluation in the press, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/77689
