Shortly after BBC NI reacted by confirming that it would replace live coverage with edited snapshots, GB News also confirmed that former DUP chief Dame Arlene Foster would be in charge of coverage. In a statement, GB News said it would broadcast live from the parades following the “controversial last minute decision of the BBC to stop live coverage”. Commenting on the event, Dame Arlene Foster said she was “incredibly proud of GB News taking the step to fill a gap left by the national broadcaster”. He added: “One of the reasons I joined GB News was to bring a better understanding of Northern Ireland life and culture to a wider audience in the United Kingdom. “GB News represents the inclusion of all regional voices, and the Orange Parades are at the heart of our voice in Northern Ireland.” Coverage will focus on most of the orange parades in Armagh, with Northern Ireland correspondent Douglas Beattie on the ground to “explain the patriotism, brilliance and color of the processions”. Mr Beattie said: “The BBC has huge resources, so it’s a challenge to get this show up and running in such a short time, but it makes it even more exciting. And as we proved with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, you do not have to be the biggest broadcaster to win the hearts of the viewers “. Opposing the BBC’s new coverage plans, he said: “The elaborate highlights are never the same – you really need live coverage to capture the immediacy, passion and emotion of Orange Parades, so that’s what we offer.” Unions and members of the Orange Order rushed to welcome the development. “Live coverage of the Twelfth is very important for so many people, especially those who can’t attend parades for a variety of reasons,” said Orangeman Senior Edward Stevenson. “from seniors who were worried they would miss this year’s parades. So I have no doubt that this announcement will be a huge boost.” Orange Order chief secretary Rev Mervyn Gibson told the BBC Evening Extra that the agency was working with GB News to plan the coverage. He said he understands that the coverage will last about an hour and will focus on Armagh. While there was outrage at the BBC, he said the Orange Order would continue to work together to record footage for the edited highlights. DUP Upper Bann MLA’s Diane Dodds praised GB’s news following the BBC’s “outrageous” decision, saying it had shown that the broadcaster had no contact with the local public. “It is contrary to the decision of GB News, which obviously wants to reach the unique mix of identities that make up our great United Kingdom.” TUV’s representative in Newry and Armagh, Keith Ratcliffe, said his party had first proposed the idea to GB News itself. “I’m absolutely delighted that the channel has come in and is offering for the first time to a wide UK audience the opportunity to experience the color, spectacle and sound of Twelfth live in the comfort of their own home,” he said. He also said he was raising questions about the BBC’s license fee. “If a relatively young, non-funded broadcaster can find the resources to cover the Twelfth Live, what excuse the BBC for not being able to do so due to financial pressures?” Last week, a BBC NI spokesman said the significance of the Twelfth Celebrations would be duly acknowledged. “We know that the orange tradition is important to many people and that it is part of the wider diversity of the local community … this is something we would like to describe and explain as part of the July 12 coverage – and more generally.”
