Glencree criticises coverage by media

THE organisers of this week's Glencree Summer School in Co Wicklow have expressed "disappointment" with media coverage of the event. The criticism relates to some media interpretation of remarks made by the President, Mrs Robinson.

According to Mr Ian White director of Glencree, the President's remarks on "how much worse it is when the aggressive and sectarian manifestation is by someone in uniform" were all too readily linked to events surrounding the Drumcree march.

"The President had spoken in an overall context and went on to speak about South Africa. I think the immediate links to Drumcree show that the media should look at some of the personal baggage they bring to determining what is being said," he said.

"As somebody who would be coming from a unionist background, I am constantly being reminded of my own baggage, and people very often indict the BBC in this regard, but the reporting shows that perhaps there is room to examine the baggage of journalists as well," Mr White said.

He excluded Irish Times coverage from his remarks.

Meanwhile, Ms Rita O'Hare, spokeswoman for Sinn Fein, has criticised the Glencree school for its treatment of a Sinn Fein ardchomhairle ember, Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain.

The Ulster Democratic Party's Derry chairman, Mr David Nicholl, had refused to share a platform with Mr O Caolain, resulting in him being asked not to be present for Mr Nicholl's address.