Robin Walsh’s long career spanned the entirety of ‘The Troubles’. From the very beginning, he strived to support impartial, accurate reporting on the conflict, serving as news editor at UTV, then Head of News at BBC Northern Ireland, and finally Controller of BBC NI. Walsh, along with long-term friend and fellow UTV and BBC alumnus Peter Weil, reflects on the difficulties of reporting on ‘The Troubles’ and how the conflict shaped newsgathering and reportage in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
In a candid interview, Walsh pays tribute to the bravery of camera operators, sound recorders, and journalists who ventured into dangerous environments to accurately capture the news. He shares anecdotes about several infamous events during the conflict and the moment he felt hope that the violence might one day end.
After Image is a project launched as a collaboration between Docs Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive to capture and preserve the memories of individuals who have made an enduring impact on the region’s screen presence and representation. Walsh’s memories and insights provide a fascinating look into reportage about a complex conflict under extreme pressure and potentially dangerous consequences, underscoring his fundamental belief that news reporting must focus on “accuracy, accuracy, accuracy”.