Main content

When Britain tried to censor the Troubles in Northern Ireland

Paul McLoone, recalls the time he was the voice of IRA commander-turned-politician, Martin McGuinness. It was during the ‘broadcasting ban’ in the UK which started in 1988.

Frontman of punk-rock band The Undertones, Paul McLoone, recalls the “weird, slightly funny, slightly sad, slightly surreal” time he was the voice of IRA commander-turned-politician, Martin McGuinness.

It was during the so called ‘broadcasting ban’ in the UK which came into force in 1988.

It saw organisations believed to support terrorism forbidden from directly broadcasting on radio or television.

Paul tells Alys Harte how the legislation led to extra work for him.

(Photo: Paul McLoone during a performance. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Tue 24 Jan 2023 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 23 Jan 2023 08:50GMT
  • Mon 23 Jan 2023 12:50GMT
  • Mon 23 Jan 2023 18:50GMT
  • Mon 23 Jan 2023 23:50GMT
  • Tue 24 Jan 2023 00:50GMT
  • Tue 24 Jan 2023 03:50GMT

Podcast