Ben Lowry: We also led way in sceptical reporting of slow return to schools

Another example of how a regional newspaper can provide a different angle to events is the way we have led the way in sceptical reportage of the agonisingly slow return to schools.
By Ben Lowry
Published 20th Jun 2020, 11:38 BST
Updated 20th Jun 2020, 12:27 BST
Ben Lowry: "On Talkback I wondered aloud if teachers were embarrassed at the agonisingly slow return to schools. Hours later it emerged that 1,500 paediatricians had called for an urgent return to schools"Ben Lowry: "On Talkback I wondered aloud if teachers were embarrassed at the agonisingly slow return to schools. Hours later it emerged that 1,500 paediatricians had called for an urgent return to schools"
Ben Lowry: "On Talkback I wondered aloud if teachers were embarrassed at the agonisingly slow return to schools. Hours later it emerged that 1,500 paediatricians had called for an urgent return to schools"

(Link to related Ben Lowry article on the Loughinisland case showing the importance of regional newspapers click here)

On Wednesday I was asked on BBC Talkback to discuss our editorial of that day, calling for a scrapping of the unworkable two metre rule in classrooms (which would have meant it would have taken years for schools to get back to normal, if ever). This was before Stormont said it would indeed remove two metre.

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I have appeared many times on BBC shows to offer an alternative view of events, often defending unionist and other unfashionable viewpoints. I have never before complained about being on a panel when I was in a minority of one in four on a contested viewpoint, even though it has happened before. I have always just made my points.

BBC Radio Ulster's host William Crawley asked Ben Lowry if he was shaming teachersBBC Radio Ulster's host William Crawley asked Ben Lowry if he was shaming teachers
BBC Radio Ulster's host William Crawley asked Ben Lowry if he was shaming teachers

The overall BBC coverage (with some exceptions) of the schools closures has, I think, been un-curious until the last fortnight when there has been belated scrutiny of the agonisingly slow return of childcare, for example. But the fears about the damage to children’s education goes back many weeks, and there was an almost complete failure to examine the wisdom of a major backdated teacher pay rise at this time of financial crisis and incomplete schooling.

On Talkback I wondered aloud if teachers were embarrassed at the fuss that some of their representatives have made about the return to schools, amid growing evidence of the tiny risk to kids and the small risk to teachers.

The host William Crawley asked if I was shaming teachers, and I responded by expressing my frustration that I was being pulled up in that way when I was the only person in a panel of four (arguing for a faster return to schools, which I think should have been two out of four voices, not one).

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Hours later it emerged that 1,500 paediatricians across the UL had in a letter called for an urgent return to schools. It was a scathing letter, and a very clear implied rebuke of the weak leadership that has not led to a faster resumption of classroom teaching.

If teachers, politicians and parts of the media were not embarrassed by that letter, they should have been.

• Ben Lowry (@BenLowry2) is News Letter deputy editor

• Over 1,500 doctors demand schools open as soon as possible ‘to avoid scarring children for life’

• Ben Lowry on May 16: It was tone deaf to increase teacher pay when schools are out so long and when we are in a financial crisis

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• Ben Lowry: Troubling Loughinisland case shows the importance of regional newspapers

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Related topics:Ben LowryBBCNorthern Ireland