Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Viewers Left 'Disgusted' By BBC's New Oscar Pistorius Documentary

Lucy Devine

Published 
| Last updated 

Viewers Left 'Disgusted' By BBC's New Oscar Pistorius Documentary

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Viewers have been left "disgusted" by a BBC documentary about Oscar Pistorius and the murder of Reeva Steenkamp, which aired yesterday evening on BBC Two.

Watching the show as it aired, many slammed the programme for "glorifying a murderer" and focusing too much on Pistorius and his livelihood, and not enough on Reeva.

The Trials Of Oscar Pistorius begins by telling the story of Pistorius' life and career - from a young boy who had both his legs amputated, to a sports phenomenon dubbed 'The Blade Runner'.

Many slammed the BBC programme for 'glorifying a murderer' (Credit: BBC)
Many slammed the BBC programme for 'glorifying a murderer' (Credit: BBC)
Advert

It then goes on to delve into the devastating events that occurred on Valentine's Day 2013, when Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp - who was just 29 years old.

Since the trailer dropped for the documentary, viewers have been criticising the BBC. Many were horrified when the channel failed to mention Reeva Steenkamp, by name, in the trailer.

Following the backlash, the BBC issued a statement, which read: "We regret that the original trail did not refer to Reeva Steenkamp directly.

Loading…

Advert

"We are aware of the upset it has caused, which was never the intention. We have removed the trailer and it will be replaced with something more representative of the series, which examines in detail a number of complex issues connected to her murder."

But after watching the first episode of the four-part documentary, viewers are still horrified, with many criticising the programme for not focusing enough on Reeva.

Many sad it focussed too much on Pistorius' career (Credit: BBC)
Many sad it focussed too much on Pistorius' career (Credit: BBC)

"Watching the #OscarPistorius documentary and wondering when they will begin telling the story of Reeva Steenkamp. Her hopes, dreams, aspirations, talents. #sayhername," one person tweeted.

Advert

While another said: "Watching #Storyville on #OscarPistorius, getting increasingly irritated. The tone's all wrong, too much focus on his athletic prowess, nowhere near enough on #Reeva, the woman he killed."

Others said the doc was "glorifying a murderer" while many believed it was "biased", "one-sided" and "sympathetic" towards Pistorius.

Reeva Steenkamp was murdered on Valentine's Day 2013 (Credit: BBC)
Reeva Steenkamp was murdered on Valentine's Day 2013 (Credit: BBC)

One person tweeted: "This is disgusting. This documentary is glorifying a murderer... He murdered Reeva Steenkamp."

Advert

"Watched 45 minutes of the #OscarPistorius documentary before turning it off in disgust. A one-sided programme that lionises a man convicted of murdering his girlfriend #ReevaSteenkamp, and appears to be asking us to feel sorry for him. Very poorly judged," another viewer wrote.

"Is this #OscarPistorius documentary just giving a million excuses as to why he did it? Poor Oscar?! 'I've never seen anyone so devastated' Really?! Try Reeva's parents. HER NAME WAS REEVA STEENKAMP. #RIPReevaSteenkamp," added another.


Advert


Others added that Pistorius' story doesn't deserve to be told, with one writing: "This BBC 'documentary' is so biased towards Oscar Pistorius it's astounding! He murdered Reeva, stole her future & devastated her family & friends.

"My heart breaks for them. He doesn't deserve his story to be told. #HernamewasReevaSteenkamp."

Pistorius shot and killed Reeva on Valentine's Day 2013 when he fired four shots through his locked bathroom door. He has always maintained what happened was an accident, claiming that he thought she was an intruder.

This has been contested by those close to Reeva who argued it didn't make sense that an intruder would flee to the bathroom or that Pistorius wouldn't have noticed Reeva was not next to him in bed.

Reeva also had her mobile phone in the bathroom, something they also deemed as suspicious.

Initially, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide (equivalent of manslaughter) in 2004, but upon appeal, this was changed to murder.

The prosecution argued that he must have known firing into the bathroom four times would result in the death of the person in there.

Tyla has reached out to BBC for comment.

Topics: BBC, TV News

Lucy Devine
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

Rihanna shares plans for baby number three with A$AP Rocky

15 hours ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Rebel Wilson opens up on losing her virginity at age 35 as she says others 'shouldn’t feel pressured'

a day ago