1988–1994 British broadcasting voice restrictions
From October 1988 to September 1994 the British government banned broadcasts of the voices of representatives from Sinn Féin and several Irish republican and loyalist groups on television and radio in the United Kingdom (UK). The restrictions, announced by the Home Secretary, Douglas Hurd, on 19 October 1988, covered eleven organisations based in Northern Ireland. The ban followed a heightened period of violence in the course of the Troubles, and reflected the UK government's belief in a need to prevent Sinn Féin from using the media for political advantage.
Gerry Adams, Sinn Féin president (seen here in 2001) – one of the people affected by the restrictions enacted in 1988.
An Irish republican anti-censorship mural in Belfast
Douglas Hurd, seen here in 2007, introduced the measures in October 1988.
Prime Minister John Major lifted the restrictions in 1994.
Sinn Féin is an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Arthur Griffith is credited as the main founder of the party
The campaign car of Joseph McGuinness, who won the 1917 South Longford by-election whilst imprisoned. He was one of the first Sinn Féin MPs to be elected.
Ruairí Ó Brádaigh (pictured in 2004) was the president of Provisional Sinn Féin from 1970 until 1983.
Bobby Sands mural in Belfast. Sands, a member of the Provisional IRA, stood on an Anti H-Block ticket.
