Has the BBC Dropped the Ball On Disability Issues?

The public service call of duty is to bring the issues of those living at the edges of society to the center of attention; however, it seems that the BBC has dropped the ball on disability issues.

Everybody remembers the coverage of the Royal Wedding. Most probably remember the unprecedented number of complaints filed by viewers because of the Wedding Bonanza.

No disrespect intended for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.Their involvement with charitable causes speaks volumes for their commitment to help the most vulnerable.

However, it is extremely irritating that the BBC systematically fails to report on crucial issues involving the disabled.

My memory goes back to the incident at Edinburgh Airport on 30 August of this year. Six elderly disabled were at the gate, ready to board their Easyjet flight supposed to bring them back home. Because of a row between baggage handlers (Menzies Aviation) and assistance provider (THS Scotland) the unfortunate six were left behind.

David McCann of the Scotsman.com was first to cover the story, followed by a handful of websites including Reduced Mobility Rights. Not a single mainstream media,not even the BBC, reported the story.

Indifference towards disabilities is so deeply embedded into society it may seem normal that the media should fail to cover such an event.

But these accidents also occur because of the general apathy towards them. Those guilty of leaving six vulnerable disabled passengers at the gate speculate on the indifference of the media to get away with their hideous actions. They already know that the Government has not yet ensured the law protecting disabled passengers can be enforced in civil procedure. Certain to remain unpunished by the law, they rely on the indifference of mainstream media to keep a lid on such stories.

The public service, the BBC, has the specific duty to report on these stories, to ensure victims are recognized and the cowards who humiliate them shamed.