Clips
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Performers fear Northern Ireland Duration: 01:25 There's No Business
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The Saville Inquiry and context of Bloody Sunday Duration: 06:09 2010/2011, Bloody Sunday Report
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Lord Saville's key conclusions on Bloody Sunday Duration: 03:10 2010/2011, Bloody Sunday Report
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Interview with President Mary McAleese Duration: 02:57
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President McAleese in Lebanon Duration: 03:18
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PIRA bomb England Duration: 04:08 Giuseppe Conlon and the Bomb Factory
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Do You Want To Be In The Spotlight Audience?
Want to have your say? Join the audience for the TV debate series, SPOTLIGHT SPECIAL.
Presented by Mark Carruthers, the programme could be your chance to put a question or comment to a panel of politicians, on issues affecting our day to day lives. Our next programme is on TUESDAY 29th MAY 2012, to apply for tickets email us at, spotlightspecial@bbc.co.uk, or call the ticketline on 0845 300 30 80. -
The Spotlight Reporters
Darragh MacIntyre
Darragh MacIntyre has been with Spotlight since 2002. He has reported on subjects as diverse as clerical abuse and waste smuggling. A 2007 film 'The Hunt for Captain Nairac' was nominated as Scoop of the Year in the Royal Television Society awards. Other memorable programmes include 'The Philip Johnston Story', an exclusive interview with the estate agent who was accused but then cleared of money laundering, and 'The Omagh Fire Tragedy' which revealed what the police and the social services should have known about Arthur McElhill, the man suspected of starting the fire in which he and six other people died. In 2007, Darragh was named Northern Ireland's Current Affairs Journalist of the Year. -
Ciaran Tracey
Ciaran Tracey joined the Spotlight reporting team in January 2012. He's worked in the BBC since 2008, training with the Spotlight team on investigations into a Chinese contract killing in Belfast and the internet sale of "abortion pills". He went on to work as a Broadcast Journalist for BBC Newsline and made a documentary for Radio Ulster on poor living conditions in Belfast's New Lodge. Returning to Spotlight, he joined the production team that re-examined the Claudy Bombing, before moving on to Network Current Affairs. As Assistant Producer on Panorama he worked on investigations into croneyism at FIFA, unscrupulous landlords, police misconduct and domestic violence.
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Mandy McAuley
Mandy McAuley began her investigative career with the BBC's 5 Live Report before moving to Spotlight. Her hard-hitting investigations have brought her face to face with paedophiles, loan sharks, drug dealers and paramilitaries. She has won an array of awards for her work including UK Radio News Broadcaster of the Year and an international gold medal at the New York Radio Festivals. Her special investigation into an international dog-fighting ring, for Spotlight and Panorama, earned a Bafta nomination and a prestigious Royal Television Society Award.
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Stephen Dempster
Stephen Dempster has been a journalist for 15 years. He started his career at the Newtownards Chronicle and then joined the Belfast News Letter in 1999. For almost a decade he was the newspaper’s political editor, following the peace process at Stormont and into Downing Street and the White House. He interviewed Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, among others, and broke stories on the multi-billion dollar lawsuit brought against Libya by IRA victims and the row over office expenses that led to Ian Paisley junior’s ministerial resignation. For Spotlight, he has reported on the search for two men who went missing from South Armagh - a search complicated by the IRA's role in their disappearance. Stephen’s work has been commended in the Institute of Public Relations’ Press and Broadcasting Awards.
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Send Us Your Story
Is there a story you want Spotlight to investigate?
Email your stories to us in confidence or ring us on 028 90 338349.
Email: spotlight-ni@bbc.co.uk -
“The Whistle-blower and the Watchdog” Wins CIPR Award
BBC NI Spotlight “The Whistle-blower and the Watchdog”(transmitted 18th October 2011) has won the CIPR award for the best current affairs/news documentary of the year.
In this specially-extended edition, reporter Vincent Kearney and producer Chris Thornton, exposed serious flaws at the heart of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, the body set up to hold police to account. Following the revelations, Al Hutchinson announced he would retire early as Police Ombudsman. The judges said: "This was a fiercely contested category, but this year's standout winner was a compelling account of the divisions at the heart of one of Northern Ireland's key institutions. A superb piece of investigative journalism from the Spotlight team at BBC Northern Ireland." -
Here's a selection of comments received during the Spotlight Special.
GOLF RESORT: SHOULD THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER’S TITLE BE “MINISTER FOR DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT?”
Carson
Obviously Alex doesn’t realise the poor quality of the roads on the North Coast. Even on a good day, it takes forever to get from A to B. If you have to upgrade the roads in order to accommodate the golf links, then the environment will suffer and local families will live in a nightmare situation.
Damian, Magherafelt.
Ruin a place of beauty to build a rich mans playground.
Gary McCormack
It’s now time for the Minister to follow up the excellent Causeway decision with a green light for the runway extension at George Best City Airport and the John Lewis store at Sprucefield. Let's get this country growing.
Gerry T, North Belfast
Golf is an absolutely huge industry, generating vast amounts of money. The proposed new course at Bushmills will only add to the tourism business, and sit very well with the Causeway.
George Bell
The problem is not our heritage, it is our weather. No way can you play pleasure golf in the wind and the rain.
WHAT SCIENCE IS THE HEALTH MINISTER BASING HIS OPPOSITION TO GAY BLOOD DONATIONS ON?
William Ogilby
How would the panel feel if they had received a blood transfusion that was found to have been contaminated, in effect condemning them to death? Would their answers be any different?
Gary McCann
Stormont keep raising our taxes and trying to take every penny from us, now they want our body parts without our permission too.
J, Belfast
If the blood helps to save lives and is clean who cares who it comes from?
Andrea, Belfast
Donated blood must be as safe as humanly possible. We should be glad that the Minister is being so cautious! What is all the fuss about?
Russell Mallon, Newtownards
This approach that Edwin is taking is excellent. We need to be safe.
Chris Black, Armagh
Can those willing to give blood not be tested for diseases, before giving blood and if all clear, then allow them to help save lives.
Peter, Belfast
Edwin Poots is spot on. Take advice from professionals, this is not about sexuality.
WHAT WOULD SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE MEAN FOR NORTHERN IRELAND?
Ian Brown
Scotland moving away from the UK will be a disaster. Will we survive on our own as Ireland? This will never be Ireland; it is Northern Ireland and always will be.
Kyle, Belfast
If the national government in Great Britain had treated Scotland the way Scotland ought to have been treated the people there would not have the desire for or feel the need for independence.
Mark, Derry
Northern Ireland will always remain in the UK. Too many Catholics in the North are sick and tired of the South and their patronising oppression.
WHAT’S BEING DONE TO KEEP NORTHERN IRELAND’S YOUNG PEOPLE, TO WORK AND STUDY?
Jonny, Belfast
Tory copy-cat politicians here are a disgrace. Is it any wonder there were so few Christmas part time jobs this year, when people are being forced to work for nothing?
Simon, Dungannon
Why are temporary jobs going to the old and experienced rather than the youth who need the experience to kick-start their careers?
Tara, Belfast. Yes, fees have been capped here but it's becoming more and more difficult every year to get in to Uni. I agree that existing opportunities need better marketing
WOULD PUTTING A MINIMUM PRICE ON ALCOHOL PENALISE THOSE WHO DRINK SENSIBLY?
Julian, County Antrim
It's tax on fuel that needs addressed, never mind alcohol. Fuel duty is holding the whole economy back and causing real pain.
Johnny, Coleraine.
What about cutting the extra benefit people get for consuming alcohol in excess? Instead of funding the addiction, money should go towards rehabilitation, improving knowledge and help creating more jobs supporting them.
Willy, Dungannon
If the price of drink goes up, will the money given to alcoholics by the government go up? The tax payer getting ripped off yet again.
Denver, Tyrone.
I think the idea of a minimum price per unit is pathetic. How much does obesity cost the government and there is no minimum price on a burger.
Chris, Tullysaran
A moral panic has been created, just tax the night clubs who sell cheap drink.
Liam, Derry
Increasing the price of alcohol will only exacerbate the problem. More education and more money spent on alcohol divert projects will help those with problems. Increasing the cost will hurt those with problems the most.
Donna, Belfast
The drink culture in Northern Ireland is worrying. Naming an airport after someone known for alcohol problems, reflects that culture.
