Lions supports campaign to reinstate BBC sign language

16 October 2024

NEWCASTLE Lions Club is throwing its weight behind the campaign for BBC Northern Ireland to reinstate sign language to its lunchtime news bulletins.

Last week, Newry, Mourne and Down Council criticised the move, with the sign language service now only available on Newsline’s digital edition.

The broadcaster said the move to end the lunchtime service coincided with Newsline becoming part of an extended 60 minute UK-wide news programme, with the language summary’s new home on the News NI website and app.

The BBC added that the format, duration and presentation of BBC Newsline’s sign language summary remains unchanged.

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People said those with a hearing loss have the right to be able to access their programmes and receive information at the same time as hearing people.

Currently, more than 300,000 people are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus in Northern Ireland. Newcastle Lions Club – which has been working at the heart of the community for four decades – has been at the forefront when it comes to helping others.

The charity helps organise family fun days, outings for local pensioners and it played a key role in bringing the community together for the initial Festival of Flight in Newcastle in 2010.

The charity said its involvement in these initiatives was a direct response to a moment of need and explained that Lions do not stray into the arena of politics, or religion as a rule.

However, it is backing the campaign for a return of the sign language service on BBC Newsline’s lunchtime bulletin.

Pointing to the Lions International Constitution which “empower Lions clubs, volunteers and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, support those in need through humanitarian service and grants that impact lives globally and encourage peace and international understanding,” the charity wants to help the ongoing campaign for the restoration of the sign language service.

The Newcastle Club said it has lived up to the Constitution’s maxim for 40 years.

A spokesman said that in the US, Lions began to empower for the disabled in response to an appeal from Helen Keller from as early as 1925 when at a Lions Convention she challenged the organisation to become “Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness”.

The spokesman said since its launch, Newcastle Lions Club has been an advocate for different disabled groups and completed various projects for Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick, the Down Residential Project, Special Olympics Basketball in Newcastle and helping those with Tourette’s Syndrome.

“The most recent has been our work in advocating for those who are deaf or hearing-impaired following the decision by BBC NI to remove the 90-second British Sign Language news from the summary at the end of the Newsline lunchtime broadcast,” he said.

“At the conclusion of the 1.30pm bulletin, deaf and hearing-impaired people are advised to find sign language news using BBC NI digital format.”

The spokesman said Newcastle Lions Club is working to have the decision reversed and hopes to achieve its goal by December 3 which is World Disability Day.

The spokesman added: “We hope that by then deaf or hearing-impaired people will once again be able to access the 90-second news roundup. Whether at home or abroad, Lions serve those in need and Newcastle Lions has done that for 40 years and long may it continue.”

At last week’s monthly meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Mournes councillor Laura Devlin secured unanimous support for her motion calling for the news bulletin’s sign language summary to be reversed with the organisation writing to BBC NI’s Director calling for its reinstatement.

“One of the primary needs is effective communication access, which includes the availability of sign language interpreters in various settings, such as healthcare, education, and public services,” said Cllr Devlin.

Cllr Devlin added: “The decision by BBC NI to withdraw sign language from their lunchtime news broadcast sends a really poor message to those who are deaf or hearing impaired who rely on sign language to communicate with others.”

“The recognition and promotion of British Sign Language (BSL) as a legitimate language is crucial for ensuring that deaf individuals can engage fully with society. As such, the deaf community often require resources and training that empower them in advocating for their rights and accessing necessary services, fostering a more inclusive environment.”

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder