An independent media consultant has told a court in Dublin he believes a BBC programme which contained an interview alleging Gerry Adams sanctioned Denis Donaldson's murder was of high public interest.Mr Adams, 76, is suing the BBC over a 2016 programme about the killing of Denis Donaldson and an accompanying online article.He denies any involvement.Speaking at Dublin High Court on Tuesday, Christopher Banatvala, who is a former employee of broadcast regulator Ofcom, said it is his view the Spotlight programme was not unfair to the reputation of Mr Adams.Appearing as a witness for the BBC, Mr Banatvala said in his view that, on balance, given what was already in the public domain about Mr Adams, there was a public interest in the story and the corporation believed it had credible sources.Mr Banatvala said the Spotlight programme was of "the highest public interest" because the allegation was against an elected politician.Mr Adams was a TD in Dáil Éireann (lower house of Irish parliament) at the time.He said he believed if Mr Adams complained to Ofcom, the regulator would have reached the same conclusion that the programme was not "unjust" to Mr Adams.He also said there was a risk of what he described as a "chilling effect" for investigative journalism if allegations like those against Mr Adams were not reported.However, he stressed that did not allow programme makers to "make irresponsible allegations".Asked by a barrister for the BBC if he was saying that the programme was "probably" not "unfair or unjust" to Mr Adams, Mr Banatvala replied: "That is correct."When he was asked if his view was also that it was extremely likely Ofcom would have ruled that the online article also did not contravene its regulations, Mr Banatvala also replied: "That is correct."When a barrister for Mr Adams asked Mr Banatvala, who was called as a BBC witness, if he had read the evidence of Mr Adams, he said he did not and added: "That wasn't what I was tasked to do."The BBC is contesting the legal action on the basis that it believes the programme and associated online news coverage was fair, balanced and in the public interest.It has also said during the jury trial that it is defending its journalism and not the accuracy of the allegation.
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