Ve shall not haff der "Free Press" - nein !

[cyberianpan]

The Mad Mullah of Ranelagh : Micky-Mac has now decided to attack "agenda setting" journalists:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0209/mcdowelld.html


Does this misfortunate man understand that he is in the executive ? He really oughtn't go for journalists like this ... remember he's already threatening them with a least a burka style "press council", this the man who is in favour of "quasi judicial abso's" - read police state , and on that very topic even the boys 'n blue didn't mind the DPP's recent attempts at administrative decongestion surrounding cannabis but the Mad Mullah leapt head first in .... even though the DPP is a constitutionally independent office ...

Remind me what this man has to do with the PD's "the liberal party" again ? Are the PD's now falling from their cherished status as "the poltical wing of Fianna Fail" and moving back away from democracy ? Does the Mad Mullah's fascination with military uniforms during his student days begin to worry anyone yet ?

CyberianPan

[Dee Four]

Does this misfortunate man understand that he is in the executive ? He really oughtn't go for journalists like this

He has the right to if he so wishes. If people like Fintan O'Toole and Vincent Brown - not to mention those idiots who write for the tabloids - can get away with saying pretty much anything they like about McD, I see no reason why he should be expected not to respond. Especially considering they represent a declining aspect of public opinion.

remember he's already threatening them with a least a burka style "press council"

In fairness, they asked for it. I value freedom of the press, but the press also has a responsibilty to report accurately. The Press Council will remove the judicial aspect of making complaints about press activities, thus making it more accessible.

this the man who is in favour of "quasi judicial abso's" - read police state

I'm probably asking for it here, but do you consider Britain to be a police state? Do you believe that every time someone is found in contempt of court that the state is exercising undue influence? Do you believe nuisance orders are tantamount to a police state?

Remind me what this man has to do with the PD's "the liberal party" again ?

He is the Party President. He has been a member since its conception.

Are the PD's now falling from their cherished status as "the poltical wing of Fianna Fail"

Fianna Fáil are an independent political party.

and moving back away from democracy

The PDs will always defend democracy. For that matter, so will Fianna Fáil.

Does the Mad Mullah's fascination with military uniforms during his student days begin to worry anyone yet

I certainly hope I won't be judged entirely on my student years, either in this life or the next...

[David Cochrane]

He is the Party President. He has been a member since its conception.

Being pedantic here, but no he hasn't. He left the party soon after his election defeat in 97, and returned to the party a few months after assuming the job of Attorney General.

[Dee Four]

You're right.

You are being pedantic... :wink:

Right then. Correction: He was a member at the party's conception.

Anything else, oh Big Giant Head?

[XRoot]

This thread reminded me that I hadn't visited indymedia.ie in, oh... over a year.

indymedia.ie then reminded me why.

[Justin]

Reminds me of that silly woman on Big Brother who was dependent on the media yet complained they were victimising her.He's best ignored.

[FutureTaoiseach]

I think criticism of agenda-setting is correct in relation to asylum-seekers where RTE in particular constantly portrays them as "victims" and decries any deportations as "cruel and heartless".

[nixmix]

Cyberianpan you're spot on! Anyone not realise the hypocrisy in his statements??
http://threatstodemocracy.blogspot.com

[MichaelHennigan]

You're right.

You are being pedantic... :wink:

Right then. Correction: He was a member at the party's conception.

Anything else, oh Big Giant Head?

It was Charlie Haughey who was present at the conception. McD joined after the birth. The PDs would not have been created if O'Malley had not been kicked out of FF.

McDowell has a right to comment on the media and I assume that he didn't invite himself to the particular event.

Despite political pressure over the years, RTE has put the rest of the media to shame with its focus on investigative journalism.

What is striking about the media today is that while the Freedom of Information Act has provided limited but greater transparency in the public sector, there has been no change in the media.

The following is a link to an article taht was written last year but the issues raised are still relevant:

Irish journalism and the culture of secrecy

http://www.finfacts.com/irelandbusiness ... 2526.shtml

[cyberianpan]

> I certainly hope I won't be judged entirely on my student years, either in this life or the next...

Problem is that he's never dropped his fascination with martial levels of control over the citizenry of Ireland

> Fianna Fáil are an independent political party.

Fianna Fail are a movement with some of the characteristics of a political party , per se they are not a political party, they are more than one.

>He has the right to if he so wishes.

No he doesn't, he then goes and acts with legislative & executive authority, he is setting himself up as complainant, policeman, prosecutor, judge , jury & executioner of the media but Michael has never been one to understand the importance of conficing himself. He agreed to limit himself when he re-joined the executive. His failure to do so is anti-constitutional, add this with his fondness for uniforms from above...

> ABSOs

It is not a matter if you like their consequences, the fact is that they are quasi judicial & it is up to a judge to create a new crime, as he sees fit, and then jail the person. If we have a problem with anti social behaviour please use the existing laws of the state or change them in accord with constitutional protocol with formal legislation passed through the Dail.

>I think criticism of agenda-setting is correct in relation to asylum-seekers where RTE in particular constantly portrays them as "victims" and decries any deportations as "cruel and heartless".

I very much agree with the content, yes asylum seekers ought get grilled more, however it is NOT the minister's place to make this point. Others must do so, that is the deal with a democracy.

>McDowell has a right to comment on the media and I assume that he didn't invite himself to the particular event.

He does , but he ought confine his commentarry to framework rather than content issues ... else he fills too many roles and sullies them all. My personal opinion is, as happens, that RTE are a disgrace but it is not his role to say so ...

Unless of course we are weak sheep who WANT a dictatorship led by one man ? Sure what's the harm in that - we agree with most of his content don't we ? ....

People be very careful here, if you like McDowell that much I suggest clone him, else as a one body man he has to stick to his constitutional role !

CyberianPan