BBC apology over Pistorius trailer that didn’t name victim Reeva
THE BBC has apologised over a trailer for a documentary about Oscar Pistorius that failed to name his victim Reeva Steenkamp.
The two-minute teaser for the investigation of his murder trial referred to her simply as the athlete’s ‘girlfriend’.
Viewers objected and also pointed out that Pistorius seemed to be portrayed as simply a victim of circumstance.
Following a widespread backlash the BBC apologised and removed the trailer for The Trials of Oscar Pistorius from its website and social media account. A ‘more representative’ one will replace it. The 33-year- old South African paralympian is serving 13 years for killing Miss Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013. Pistorius maintains he did not mean to shoot the 29year- old model, believing her to be an intruder who had broken into his home. He was initially convicted of culpable homicide but an appeal overturned the verdict and saw him convicted of murder.
The trailer for the four-part series, which will be broadcast on November 7, was also criticised for showing Pistorius in what seemed to be a favourable light, with snippets of commentators praising his athletic ability.
In one soundbite, Clare Balding could be heard describing him as ‘ a really nice guy’ prior to the murder.
Domestic abuse charities and high-profile figures have branded the trailer a ‘disgrace’ for appearing to erase Miss Steenkamp from the story.
‘ Reporting on domestic homicide is an issue which media outlets need to take extremely seriously, and follow carefully drafted guidelines,’ said Lisa King, communications chief at Refuge.
‘It is incredibly disappointing to read reports that the memory of Reeva Steenkamp appears to have been glossed over, and the trial of her killer centred in this way.
‘Two women every week in England and Wales are killed by a current or former partner, and their names and their lives must never be forgotten. Neither must Reeva Steenkamp’s.’
Lucy Hadley of Women’s Aid said she was appalled by the documentary trailer.
‘As we watched the trailer, we were shocked by the omission of Reeva Steenkamp’s name. Reeva was murdered by Oscar Pistorius,’ she said.
‘ The trailer appears to present the Pistorius case as if it is a matter of debate whether he is guilty of murder. It is not in debate and he is not the victim – Pistorius was found guilty of Reeva’s murder.’
The BBC said in a statement: ‘We regret that the original trail did not refer to Reeva Steenkamp directly. We are aware of the upset it has caused, which was never the intention.
‘We have removed the trail and it will be replaced by something more representative of the series, which examines in detail a number of complex issues connected to her murder.’
‘Incredibly disappointing’