Continuing a week of dispiriting behavior by television networks in the UK, the Guardian is reporting on a decision by the BBC to drop a drama it was making about the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes in July 2005.
The paper quotes the drama's producer Katy Jones as saying,
I am extraordinarily disappointed, more than anything for the family. It was devastating for them. We had been told by the BBC it was the most important television commission of the year.
In a statement, the BBC cites 'timing and the mix of programmes' as the apparent reason why this (and a further sensitive docu-drama dealing with the lives of the 7/7 bombers) has now vanished from its schedule.
Comment
Apparently the most 'important television commission of the year', was unable to withstand whatever pressure was exerted from within the BBC's leadership, to ensure that it was never brought to air. The BBC claim that dramatic accounts are 'not the best way' to deal with these 'complicated' subjects.
Why then did they originally commission it to be made?
What is it exactly, that is so 'complicated' about producing a drama covering as accurately as possible, the fact that 18 months ago an innocent 27 year old man, was shot at least 7 times in the head by unknown members of an armed team, acting we are told on the authority of Scotland Yard?
It might also be asked, what message we are sending to ourselves, when such a crime can be committed in our midst, then summarily dismissed from our collective consciousness? Surely in such circumstances, those with the power and the mandate to facilitate public scrutiny should be making all available efforts to do so? Is it not important that we are able determine what happened that day?
Apparently not.
It is surely a prerequisite of a just society, that Justice is seen to be done in it. It can hardly be argued that it has been thus far. Unless we are to consider that the execution of Mr de Menezes constitutes a necessary price in the war on terror. One which, despite his death, requires no further investigation or effort on the part of the establishment or ourselves to explain.
