The BBC dominated its own headlines today, revealing stars who earn more than £150,000 per year.

On the phone lines to BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programmes, DUP MP Gregory Campbell seemed to take pleasure in burning fire at the feet of certain broadcasters (perhaps a certain presenter in particular).

We’re in a sorry state when most of the contributions that our politicians make to the media across the water revolve around excusing political impasse in Northern Ireland, holding the UK government to ransom for £1billion-plus, or taking swipes at just about anyone else.

Often, the things which a person says about – and the tone they take with – another individual and organisation tells us more about them and the environment in which they operate.

Considering Mr Campbell is a political leader, this eagerness to point a finger at top BBC earners (perhaps a certain top earner) – and that this conduct is not exactly exceptional in our politics – this tells us a lot about the wider political situation we in Northern Ireland find ourselves in.

Aside from being a unionist, what really defines Mr Campbell are his crusades against two things: Sinn Féin and what they stand for; and the BBC which exists to hold the powerful to account.

In many ways, Mr Campbell sums up our society’s dire need to catch a grip; to start defining ourselves by what we are for, and to look to the future.

For too long negativity, division and obsession with the past and conflict have blighted our society. When it comes to politics, we expect the worst and hope for the best.

Despite our tendency to be self-deprecating, our land, our history and heritage are in demand.

This week we learned that the Belfast office of shipbuilders Harland and Wolff is to be converted into $36m Titanic Hotel; offering 119 stylish rooms, a 140-seater restaurant and 1920s-themed cocktail bar.

On one side of the building, guests will have sight of Belfast’s famous old cranes, Samson and Goliath; on the other, they’ll see Belfast of the present, with one of the world’s most successful tourist attractions in the Titanic Exhibition centre.

When we look at ourselves, what do we see? What do we want to see? Is it the past, the same old cynical place? Or is there something better; a place for everyone, not against someone?

Photos from Harland and Wolff in Belfast were taken by Niall Crozier. You can follow Niall on Twitter at @niallcrozier.

 

 

 

 

Also published on Medium.