BBC Northern Ireland has been accused of being "anti-unionist" following plans to axe its live coverage of the Twelfth of July.
The Belfast parade, which has been televised live by the BBC for decades, was not broadcast for the past two years when events were either cancelled or scaled back during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Orange Order has been told by the BBC there are no plans to resume the live part of coverage of the Twelfth this year.
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A meeting involving the corporation, Orange Order grand secretary Rev Mervyn Gibson and DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was held on Thursday, according to the BBC's Nolan Show.
In a letter seen by the programme to Mr Gibson and Sir Jeffrey, BBC NI interim director Adam Smyth said the Belfast parade would be included within its usual evening highlights programme.
He said the hour-long programme involves "significant logistical effort", with coverage of Twelfth of July parades at locations across Northern Ireland.
"We think there is particular value in seeking to better/more fully reflect Orange Order events across the region, and that our highlights programme, which has been popular with local audiences, is the best means of achieving this objective," he said.
He acknowledged the "decision not to resume live television coverage of the Belfast demonstration may be disappointing for some people" but it followed "careful consideration" and "all usual editorial considerations".
TUV leader Jim Allister criticised the planned axing of the live segment of the coverage, describing it as a "retrograde step".
He said: "I think that it's an indication of where the BBC has been going in recent years in terms of an underlying anti-unionist agenda.
"The Twelfth of July is a very singular and unique event each year. It's a public holiday and it has tourism reach as well as a cultural reach.
"I don't think it's too much to ask that there should be a continuance of the live coverage, for the limited period that it ever existed, to reach people who can't be there."
He said many housebound people including those with disabilities "rely on the BBC live coverage to feel part of and participate in" the celebrations.
DUP MP Ian Paisley said he would speak with the UK government Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries about concerns that the BBC's live Twelfth coverage will be axed.
The North Antrim MP said he believed coverage of Orange parades should be increased rather than scaled back.
He said: "I've already arranged to speak to Nadine Dorries, who is the Culture Minister and is currently hosting a mid-term review of the BBC, and I will be addressing a number of other issues with Nadine Dorries on the BBC, but this is very much part and parcel and part of my concerns, and will be raised directly with her next week."
Earlier, a spokesperson for BBC NI told the Belfast Telegraph that programming for the Tweflth was "still being finalised".
"It will likely involve dedicated television coverage from the Orange Order's regional events — something that we’ve been working to enhance over recent years," they said.
"This late evening programme has been popular with local audiences and our ambition is to further extend its reach, accessibility and appeal.
"We'll also reflect the day's spectacle alongside key stories and events within the BBC’s news services in Northern Ireland."
BBC NI insisted the public service broadcaster acknowledges the significance of the Twelfth tradition.
"We know that the Orange tradition is important for many people and that it forms part of the wider diversity of local society," it said.
"This is something that we'll want to describe and explain as part of our 12 July coverage, and more generally."
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