Can The Paralympics Inspire A Generation – No Channel 4 News Reports
Once again the UK TV news media provides biased and incorrect reporting with regard to health and safety law.
This week, Tuesday 28 August 2012, Channel 4’s News website produced a news item concerning the Paralympics and young disabled people trying to get into various sports.
It produced this sub headline:
‘London 2012 aims to inspire a generation but the mum of one 10-year-old wheelchair user tells Channel 4 News some sports clubs don't want her son because of health and safety fears.’
The only specific mention of health and safety legislation in the whole article comes with a quote from Chief Executive of Whizz-Kidz Ruth Owen:
"The facilities are often not accessible: they have steps, gravel paths, nothing's flat and often there's the attitude that some people don't think disabled young people should be playing sport due to health and safety. I think that's a great shame."
Now whilst this may be a concern for ignorant people who have no clue about health and safety at work legislation, but use it as an excuse to keep disabled people away, and also in order to save costs; the reality is that there is no health and safety legislation whatsoever which prevents disabled people from being involved in sports.
So seriously was this misleading news item taken, that Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health and Safety Executive responded to Channel 4 News web article, saying:
"There is absolutely nothing in health and safety law to prevent disabled people taking part in sports. Anyone who believes they are being unfairly denied an opportunity under the pretence of health and safety should challenge that claim. As the world looks to London to set an example, it's time to show a bit of 'can do' spirit not find excuses to hide behind."
Chris Ingram, Unionsafety web editor has complained to Channel 4 News regarding their website article saying:
“This website news item is negligent and gives a false impression by not clarifying the facts regarding health and safety legislation. There is no way health and safety can be used as an excuse to deny disabled people access to sporting facilities. This fact should have been made clear in the article in my view.
Given that Channel 4 is the official Paralympics broadcaster, I would have thought it to be incumbent upon the channel to ensure its TV news reporting and website features on disability and disabled people taking part in sports would be both factual and impartial; ensuring no occasions of distortion due to lack of clarity in its reports.”
A response is eagerly awaited.
Source: HSE / Channel 4 News / Unionsafety
