This footage shows the reaction to the new proposed broadcasting ban, which would have the voices of Sinn Fein and other Nationalist and Loyalist groups banned from UK teletelevision and radio.

There were various reactions to the ban, but mainly it was one of disagreement, from those in parliament who believed it would be "a help to the IRA", to Sinn Fein who thought that that it was not an "attack on the IRA but a direct attack on Sinn Fein". The Republic of Ireland, at the time of when the ban was proposed, already had their own in place, which did not allow anyone with paramilitary links on its airwaves - the UK's policy would almost exactly mirror the Irish Republics practice.

The ban lasted from October 1988 to September 1994 but broadcasters quickly found ways around the ban, chiefly by using actors to dub the voices of banned speakers. The legislation did not apply during election campaigns and under certain other circumstances.

A UTV Production

• NI Direct - PRONI