More than a generation after the new dispensation was ushered in on Good Friday 1998, the public space across the north – be it Stormont, Belfast City Hall or elsewhere – continues to overwhelmingly be reflective of the British and unionist tradition.

The recent Drumcree episode confirms how that extends beyond physical public spaces to the one occupied by our public broadcaster.

BBC Northern Ireland performs a critical role in shaping our media and political narrative on a daily basis.

When compared with other broadcasters and daily newspapers here, its role and influence is that of an amalgamated Celtic and Rangers competing against the remaining teams in Scotland.

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Chris Donnelly: Drumcree exposes the BBC’s unresolved problem with impartiality

BBC Northern Ireland has a problem which dare not speak its name but which continues to cast an elephant-sized shadow over our politics.

The BBC once regarded and indeed accepted its role as a bastion of the unionist state.

In an interview recorded three years ago, the late Stephen Grimason revealed his frustrations at the internal culture during the late 1990s when noting his discomfort at how journalists were made to embrace the “Aren’t their banners lovely” narrative every July 12 in spite of the chaos wrought by the Orangemen and their supporters surrounding Drumcree.

The intervening years may have brought some changes, but it is beyond doubt BBC Northern Ireland – through its radio and television news as well as current affairs programmes – continues to be most comfortable and at ease when framing discussions around the concerns,........

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