Media's Role in the Election

[Fr Damo]

What are people views on the the figures coming out yesterday saying 2010 was our best every year of exports at 161billon and that tax revenue is 700m quid up on forecast? Corpo tax coming in at 760m more than budget, but PAYE down 5% and VAt only down 2%.
This was not a good news storey but a confirmation we are still sliding.

Personally, although I advocated an export led recovery, this is not what I had in mind. There are 16000 people less working in manufacturing than in 2009 so i'd like to know how the continuation of this trend is going to help internal demand, consumer confidence, housing market, the banks etc.

Why hasn't the media picked up on this, I can see FF using some of this material on election posters " stick with us, we'll pull you through" mantra.

[Spudulika]

I said it before and again, the cowards of doom, or FF, will be back in government with a Labour crew desperate to show they can lead. FF control the media, INM is their pet, RTE is fearful and beholden to them and there isn't a single publication who will genuinely hammer them. Any columnist who attacks them is branded ott (from the Indo) while the IT is sliding ever downwards and the opposition parties are not driving to get rid of the crowd of chancers. We get what we deserve and it's not going to change any time soon.

[Macy]

FG-FF more likely to have the numbers than Labour-FF.

VAT will continue to slide, given the tax increases without any reduction in unemployment. The Government can't massage the January Pay Packets which will be significantly down (especially in the public sector for all the "untouched" crap in the media surrounding Croke Park). This will feed negative sentiment towards the Goverenment and will hit consumer spending.

Killeen given a particularly easy ride on both Morning Ireland and Newstalk this morning, imo. How many more Ministers were/are ignoring medical advice to carry on working at a time of crisis, when they must have their full wits about them, making long term decisions? And they're getting a slap on the feckin back for it in the media!?!?!

[BonnieShels]

Damo, You know as well as I do that most people out there have minimal interest in politics and economics so they will only read the headline issue which was "record export totals" Grand stuff say the people we are turning the corner.

The real anger is going to hit in the last week of January when the majority of employees get paid and then we'll see the outcry. Not to worry, FF and G's will be gone soon. Not soon enough, but soon.

[Spudulika]

Still can't see FG getting in, especially with how the media "critics" are so onside with FF. Greens will maybe get one seat, FF 40+, Labour will help push it over the line. Whichever party Labour leaps into bed with, they're selling out whatever weak proposals they have on the economy. They certainly will run a mile from SF as that would mean taking a social stand and ensuring that many of their backers - ie Unions and parts of big business, will be hit hard. I can see another election in early 2013, if the coalition makes it that far.

[BonnieShels]

It WILL be a an FG labour government. The maths doesn't stack up anyway else. If Labour go into government with FF you can kiss Labour goodbye forever. Gilmore's credibility is slowly crumbling. He hasn't the chance of ever going through with it. And besides a special conference of Labour members will have to approve any coalition and programme for government that they may agree with any partner after the election. I sincerely doubt that he will be allowed an ego massage by being in govt with FF.

[Macy]

Still can't see FG getting in, especially with how the media "critics" are so onside with FF. Greens will maybe get one seat, FF 40+, Labour will help push it over the line. Whichever party Labour leaps into bed with, they're selling out whatever weak proposals they have on the economy. They certainly will run a mile from SF as that would mean taking a social stand and ensuring that many of their backers - ie Unions and parts of big business, will be hit hard. I can see another election in early 2013, if the coalition makes it that far.
FG-FF coalition is a real possibility. FG buy into the 4 year plan more readily and agree more with the tax/ cuts ratio that the Government proposes. FG wouldn't have to go through a members vote as Labour would.

[Fr Damo]

But getting slightly more towards the title,

we have "positive" economic news on Tuesday / Wednesday. VHI debacle on Thursday. Harney on holidays this week too. If that wasn't constructed I don't know what is.
Why are we being treated with such contempt?

James Reilly did a great job yesterday and the only canditate fit for that office among alll sitting TDs. I hope he gets the column inches today.

[Billsthoughts]

From talking to people over xmas(not very sceintific I know) I wouldnt be so sure fianna fail arent going to get a significant vote. People dont seem to have much faith in the other parties. Regardless of the rights or wrongs of it that seems to be the thinking. scary thought.
Think the media has been poor throughout whole banking crisis. Seem to think balance involves printing views regarless of how untrue or ridiculous they are. I think I saw a headline on a kevin myers column today attacking muslims and feminists. finger on the pulse of the nation there.

[dahamsta]

I want to say that if FF get back in I'll leave the country, but I'd never do that. I may try to source a rifle though.

[John83]

I want to say that if FF get back in I'll leave the country, but I'd never do that. I may try to source a rifle though.
Public health warning. Stay out of line of sight of this building:
http://images.travbuddy.com/1605332_12568486646686.jpg

[BonnieShels]

I want to say that if FF get back in I'll leave the country, but I'd never do that. I may try to source a rifle though.

I've consistently thought about what I would do in that event... barricades set up on Merrion St... Adam eating toast with his foot on Cowen's head... I can see it now.

[Spudulika]

From talking to people over xmas(not very sceintific I know) I wouldnt be so sure fianna fail arent going to get a significant vote. People dont seem to have much faith in the other parties. Regardless of the rights or wrongs of it that seems to be the thinking. scary thought.
Think the media has been poor throughout whole banking crisis. Seem to think balance involves printing views regarless of how untrue or ridiculous they are. I think I saw a headline on a kevin myers column today attacking muslims and feminists. finger on the pulse of the nation there.

Not quite. It was about islamification in relation to the wall Greece are building to keep out illegals. He didn't attack feminism, just pointed out that they won't fare so well under sharia law (I'm misquoting him slightly). His job is to write on topical subjects, not just how crap the government is - which he does regularly, however nobody is going to listen to him as he's viewed as ott and discredited. The media are not going to do anything to bring down the government, it doesn't suit them, the gombeens make too much easy copy for them so why get rid of them? It was never more obvious how FF have the media in their grasp, and how the public row in with them (across the board) last year when TV3 broke the news on Brian Lenihan. What was a definite public interest story was knocked down with so much spite and stupidity it showed the country to be the damaged place it is. We like our fixers, strokers and edgy boys/girls.

[Billsthoughts]

was about arranged marriages and how feminists arent complaining about it because its muslims. the usual "maybe its not politically correct to say so but I will.." lark that passes for radical ideas in Ireland.

[dahamsta]

I've consistently thought about what I would do in that event... barricades set up on Merrion St... Adam eating toast with his foot on Cowen's head... I can see it now.

Unfortunately we're about a thousand miles from revolution in Ireland. The country finally fell apart at the seams in December (actually it didn't, but FF+G decided they should make it look like that), and we sold ourselves out to a conglomerate of other countries and organisations, one of which took the unprecedented step of taking a profit on our bad luck. And where are we?

Out in the streets, rioting like the far better off in the UK? Nope. Watching the opposition greedily rip the failures limb from limb? What opposition? Doorstepping our TDs to tell them to the pull support for the government and feck off? Nah, it's a lot of work.

Instead we're sitting on our holes, twiddling our thumbs, waiting for an election that might happen in March. March for feck's sake!

We deserve all we get.

[Macy]

Shane Ross, seems to be doing alright in his campaign from his media friends - including a launch on RTE (the former parish of his missus) Saturday Prime Time, hosted by fellow INM journo O'Connor. I hope all goes well for his end cronyism ticket!

[bluemovie]

I meant to post this last week, but did anyone else think RTE's initial treatment of the Cowen/Fitzpatrick Druid's Glen story was to completely downplay it? Having read the Sunday Times last week, I made sure to watch the RTE News that night to see the report about it. To me, it seemed like an explosive story with wide national interest. RTE placed it as the third item on their news programmes. I think the top two were the two bodies found in Limerick and the gas leak death in Cork. Now, I'm trying for this not to come across as distasteful and may seem very harsh, but which is the bigger news story? Which one is still headline news a week later? Which one will enter the history books? I'm trying to picture the scene at the production/news meeting of any news outlet where they have to be ruthless about ranking news stories. The Cowen story was clearly HUGE and has since sparked a leadership heave. The other two are terrible tragedies, but in the current context are less likely to be talked about in every house, pub or office for the week.

Later on that night on The Week in Politics (yes, my Sunday night was THAT dull), Sean O'Rourke said (if memory serves me) to Pat Rabbitte something along the lines of "Isn't the truth that this is really a non-story?" Fair enough, he is supposed to play Devil's Advocate, but the whole tone of how he dealt with the story was to downplay it. This "non-story" may finally bring down the Taoiseach where the bank bailout, the hangover and the IMF failed.

[BonnieShels]

RTÉ are FF's mouthpiece. Always have been. Their coverage of everything this week has been woeful and only came alive when it became clear that FF could be on the airwaves constantly.

[dahamsta]

I wouldn't call RTE FF's mouthpiece, I'd call them the incumbent Government's mouthpiece, and I'd apply the same moniker to most - if not all - Irish media. You only have to look at VB for an example of all that's wrong with Irish media. He's held up as the voice of the man on the ground - and I'll admit that he amuses me too sometimes - but look at him, he's flip-flopped so many times at this stage he must be dizzy.

[Eminence Grise]

I meant to post this last week, but did anyone else think RTE's initial treatment of the Cowen/Fitzpatrick Druid's Glen story was to completely downplay it?

A lot of commentators have failed to realise the significance of the third man on the course being Fintan Drury, former Chair of the RTE Authority. Even though he was a government appointment, I daresay the simple principle of not dumping on "one of your own" might have had something to do with it.

[BonnieShels]

I wouldn't call RTE FF's mouthpiece, I'd call them the incumbent's mouthpiece, and I'd apply the same moniker to most - if not all - Irish media. You only have to look at VB for an example of all that's wrong with Irish media. He's held up as the voice of the man on the ground - and I'll admit that he amuses me too - but look at him, he's flip-flopped so many times at this stage he must be dizzy.

I considered my post before I wrote it. I did contemplate your assertion about RTÉ, however, it's 13 years since there was anyone else in power. Being a lot younger at the time I don't remember RTÉ's stance. I do recall De Indo's though vividly! Anyway, I think we'll need to see RTÉ's stance after the next election. But what surely is wrong is that the national broadcaster has a stance at all. By all mean be balance but don't peddle the idea that an FFer lying about policy = an FGer telling the truth about policy.

[dahamsta]

When the government holds your purse strings, particularly in a country the size of Ireland, you're the incumbent's mouthpiece. No ifs ands or buts.

EDIT: Actually "mouthpiece" isn't fair. I'm more talking about a lack of criticism.

[bennocelt]

I wouldn't call RTE FF's mouthpiece, I'd call them the incumbent Government's mouthpiece, and I'd apply the same moniker to most - if not all - Irish media. You only have to look at VB for an example of all that's wrong with Irish media. He's held up as the voice of the man on the ground - and I'll admit that he amuses me too sometimes - but look at him, he's flip-flopped so many times at this stage he must be dizzy.

Just curious - I always thought he was a FG fan, might of eased off on that now?

[dahamsta]

I'm talking more right to left, but see the 3rd paragraph from the bottom of the Career section on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Browne#Career

[Spudulika]

The way RTE are running with the non-event of the confidence vote is better than a transfer watch.

[BonnieShels]

When the government holds your purse strings, particularly in a country the size of Ireland, you're the incumbent's mouthpiece. No ifs ands or buts.

EDIT: Actually "mouthpiece" isn't fair. I'm more talking about a lack of criticism.

I think that would be more appropriate.
They haven't come out of this constant FF cheerleading well though!

[Fr Damo]

The way RTE are running with the non-event of the confidence vote is better than a transfer watch.

The news at 9 last night and the FF gang bang was the last straw. Streams to David Daven Power looking for updates and white smoke. Twas cringeworthy. The Greens must be raging it wasn't them making the headlines for a change and I joke not in jest!

[Macy]

Streams to David Daven Power looking for updates and white smoke. Twas cringeworthy.
DDP is very soft on the Government - McCullough far more balance. Fergus' wedding bloke (Dowling?) isn't too bad - you can read him like a book when he's putting on the Government spin.

[bennocelt]

What about Sean Whelan, woeful reporter but then again he did try and run for FF in council elections back in the day

[bluemovie]

I wouldn't call RTE FF's mouthpiece, I'd call them the incumbent Government's mouthpiece

I think it's a bit more deep-rooted with FF and RTE though (as a result of FF being in power 90% of the time). RTE has FFers wherever you look. It's not as if Ivan Yates will start presenting the Frontline after the election or some Labour dynasty member will get the Late Late. It could take years of FF in the wilderness to cleanse the station, by which time it would become a Fine Gael mouthpiece.

[Macy]

It'd be a start if they start annoucing Noel Whelan for what he is - former FF candidate and strategist. I've no problem with him being on shows - there's nothing wrong with a bias source, once you know the bias - but he always gets introduced as some independent analyst.

[Real ale Madrid]

Sean o'rourke giving everyone a hard time on TWIP at the moment except Lendahand. It's a joke.

[Macy]

Sean o'rourke giving everyone a hard time on TWIP at the moment except Lendahand. It's a joke.
He was ridiculously soft on Lenihan. His suggestion that the whole noughties boom and bust was Labours fault, for bringing down the FF/Labour coalition in 1994, really took the bloody biscuit! He's really gone down in my estimation in the last few months, between his budget day outburst at Jack O'Connor, through the Gilmore ambush to this twisted logic he's not really showing an even hand imo.

EDIT - RTE have just given a large portion of the News At One to the FF leadership election, with no sign of the Sean O'Rourke of last night to ABFF.

[Macy]

Thought Morning Ireland was very much on FF message this morning, with regard to discussing economic plans around quarter past 7. No critic of the outgoing Governments plans, but pretty much an attempt to dismantle FG's and Labours. Pravda at it's best!

[Dodge]

You only have to look at the amount of time given to FF candidate selection compared to barely a mention to see how it is.

Goes right through RTE from TV, radio to web and twitter feeds

[BonnieShels]

Can the media please please after tonight stop giving Richard Boyd-Barrett airtime. He's a spoofer of the highest order and is making me seeth watching VB now.

[Macy]

Can the media please please after tonight stop giving Richard Boyd-Barrett airtime. He's a spoofer of the highest order and is making me seeth watching VB now.
Is this not the wrong thread for political points - that's not really a media point, imo. RBB at least has a clear ideology - you may not agree with that ideology, but at least he's honest about it. I thought Vinnie was pretty bad - only watched a bit of it, as he wasn't giving them a chance to explain their figures.

Prime Time was a disaster - O'Callaghan totally pathetic, and then lost control and turned into a shouting match.

Morning Ireland Paper review pretty much totally anti FG too, and RTE keep concentrating on the IMF interest rate when it's clear the it's the EU portion of the package that's the problem and that interest rate which will have to be renegotiated rather than the IMF component. Squeaky bum time for many in Montrose?

[Macy]

Pat Kenny doing his best for FF today. Let Lenihan waffle away for the guts of 20 minutes, totally unchallenged. It was like a bloody party political broadcast. He's now still trying to highlight differences between FG and Labour. They are supposed to be balanced at least during an election campaign, but the only place you can complain to is a politically appointed BAI!

[Billsthoughts]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/ireland-business-blog-with-lisa-ocarroll/2011/feb/02/ireland-merrill-lynch-research-note-irish-banks

surprised nobody in media has picked up on this.

[Real ale Madrid]

Prime Time was a disaster - O'Callaghan totally pathetic, and then lost control and turned into a shouting match.


I actually thought Miriam looked flushed at the end of the interview last night - as if she was embarrassed by what went on. Joan Burton was largely at fault again I thought. She's always in there with an inflammatory remark.

I had to skip Vincent Brown / 11th hour channel chop last night. The previous night that Avril Power made me so angry I couldn't get to sleep. Rarely have I seen such a condescending arrogant person on TV with so little grasp of economic or any other issues. If this is the caliber of person Michael Martin is appointing to the front Bench, then FF are truly FF***ed, no matter how much help the get from their propaganda machine up in Montrose.

[Macy]

I don't think any of the panel came out with much credit from Prime Time, I wouldn't be hanging it all on Burton when Leo is in with the, albeit well spoken, digs. That format is inevitably a shouting match though - even a two or three way debate. Should be much more structured such as the US, and the UK, with everyone given the same time and no interruptions.

It's nearly every current affairs show on RTE at this stage, but News at One/ O'Rourke at it again presenting Colm McCarthy as an independent commentator rather than someone regularly employed by Lenihan, in painting the opposition parties plans in a bad light and endorsing Lenihans points. Now maybe he is right, the point is that he shouldn't be the one on doing the analysis, without the caveat during the introduction. Actually, isn't he still effectively working* for Lenihan producing a report on a firesale of state assets? I've said before regarding Noel Whelan, there's nothing wrong with a potential bias source, once the public are informed of the possible conflict of interest - RTE's failure to do this really raises questions their impartiality imo.

*iirc he's not taking a salary for this work, on top of his UCD, but I'm sure the exposure does his consultancy side business no harm.

[Spudulika]

The shouting match on Prime Time showed the 3 opposition parties in a bad light. Lenihan was almost grinning with the result. He still refuses to accept any questions and sadly will get re-elected. How he does, well, all I know is my old neighbours are big FF'ers. Varadkar was talked down at times and seemed a little overawed at times. I thought at first it was a tactic, though the fact that Miriam kept touching his arm kept him quiet, maybe. It became a struggle between the pseduo-left and left with neither FG or SF covering themselves in glory. O'Caoilan didn't do himself justice at all, Burton needs something, I can't say what.

[Spudulika]

Oh sweet jesus, how on earth did the stuffed shirt from FF come out on top over Bruton and Howlin? I have to admire his quick thinking, Labour and FG are going to allow FF grab enough seats to bring them back into government.

[Fr Damo]

Oh sweet jesus, how on earth did the stuffed shirt from FF come out on top over Bruton and Howlin? I have to admire his quick thinking, Labour and FG are going to allow FF grab enough seats to bring them back into government.

Was it me or was ferris made look a bit of a ditherer? The editing of his interview was surprising even for RTE

[Spudulika]

Was it me or was ferris made look a bit of a ditherer? The editing of his interview was surprising even for RTE

I was thinking the same thing - about the edit. From what I've seen of Ferris in the past (in the Dail, public events) he is quite a good speaker. Yet he seemed to be severely struggling. I have a sick feeling that our media are seriously out to rupture the left vote. They're after Labour - Gilmore is Gilbore the fence sitter, Gerry Adams is a confused fence sitter, even Inda is the invisible man (according to our 4th estate). Martin is the shining night and man who in his entire ministerial career finalised the introduction of the smoking ban and went to Sudan to take credit for a hostage release and.....10 years, nothing else. Nothing! But looking at what RTE and TV3 are doing, FF are "regaining lost ground", this was said on Drivetime today! I mean, jesus, really, jesus M Martin!

[bluemovie]

Was it me or was ferris made look a bit of a ditherer? The editing of his interview was surprising even for RTE

Whether they made him look that way or not, he certainly came across really badly. When they asked him about civil service cuts, he said something like "how many people work there....270,000?". PrimeTime: "305,000". Ferris: "Obviously there'll have to be some cuts". Sounded embarrassing.

[Fr Damo]

Agreed but the Prime Time reporter mentioned the figuer during his naration just before they cut to that question and Ferris. It was manuafctured to reinforce the point that Ferris didn't know the number.

Makes no odds to me, won't be voting Shinners.

Noonan did very well agaisnt Pat Kenny this morning and I agree with most here that RTE are falling over themesleves promoting FF through the electorate's sub conscious!

[Spudulika]

The Green Tea - Nob Nation for half an hour, very good! They're painting the Labour party in red, so it's clear to see that they want everyone in Ireland to worry about a new Soviet Union in Ireland. RTE and our media are all out to destroy Labour and Sinn Fein. FF are gently mocked, FG and Kenny slagged off as being afraid. Independents made out as ridiculous. Gotta love Irish democracy. The more things change the more they get worse! Funny show all the same!

[culloty82]

Like Murdoch in the UK, O'Reilly has seen the way the wind is blowing, and has decided there's no point voting, an FG single-party government (http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/john-drennan/john-drennan-fine-gael-on-course-to-govern-by-itself-2527394.html) is in the best interest of his investors, sorry, the country. Also, a puff piece by Lucinda Creighton for no apparent reason.

[osarusan]

It's nearly every current affairs show on RTE at this stage, but News at One/ O'Rourke at it again presenting Colm McCarthy as an independent commentator rather than someone regularly employed by Lenihan, in painting the opposition parties plans in a bad light and endorsing Lenihans points. Now maybe he is right, the point is that he shouldn't be the one on doing the analysis, without the caveat during the introduction. Actually, isn't he still effectively working* for Lenihan producing a report on a firesale of state assets? I've said before regarding Noel Whelan, there's nothing wrong with a potential bias source, once the public are informed of the possible conflict of interest - RTE's failure to do this really raises questions their impartiality imo.

*iirc he's not taking a salary for this work, on top of his UCD, but I'm sure the exposure does his consultancy side business no harm.
I emailed RTE's complaints department about it, arguing that their failure to disclose the present or past links of political commentators to ministers or political parties was in in violation of Section 39 (1) of the 2009 broadcasting act which states that "(b) the broadcast treatment of current affairs, including matters which are either of public controversy or the subject of current public debate is fair to all interests concerned and that the broadcast matter is presented in an objective and impartial manner".

Here's the reply I received today:

Dear (osarusan),

You underestimate the audience. Commentators such as Colm McCarthy and Noel Whelan are well known to out listeners and viewers. There is no need to give their CV each time they appear on RTE. I am fully confident that Rte is fulfilling all its statutory requirements in regard to news and current affairs in the manner in which these commentators are used. If you believe otherwise you may complain to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (www.bai.ie)

Yours sincerely

(Name deleted)
Head of Broadcast Compliance