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Event horizon

What the Post Office scandal teaches us about story

The PO depicted as a corporate giant looming on the horizon  
The PO has been depicted as a heartless corporate giant
Why is the UK public finally demanding justice from the Post Office?

The Post Office Scandal was reported by Computer Weekly in 2009 when sub-postmasters complained about the Horizon IT system.

In spite of mainstream news articles many remained unaware of the 'Greatest miscarriage of justice in British history'.

Of course recent exposure from ITVs "Mr Bates vs The Post Office" raised awareness. Many of us who watched those blood-boiling episodes were both saddened and outraged by the fact-based account.

However facts alone were not enough to keep 4 million people watching all four episodes and fuming afterwards.

It is appalling the Post Office sacked and prosecuted village sub-postmasters who had no way to prove their innocence before their lives were ruined.

But it was the dramatic retelling of events by superb actors and film makers that took viewers on an emotional journey of knowing and feeling that. They made history into a STORY.

That story is David and Goliath, how 'skint little people' (as actor Toby Jones put it) took on a corporate giant.

So the next time you have important information to share ask yourself 'what is the story' ?

If you'd help telling your story contact us

on Saturday, 06 January 2024.