Vincent Browne facilitating the formation of a political movement - Vincent Browne

[David Cochrane]

2 weeks ago we covered a piece in the Phoenix which reported that Vincent Browne was planning on setting up his own political movement.

http://www.politics.ie/media/130029-...t-phoenix.html

The edition out now says that the Sunday Business Post and Irish Times journalist and presenter of Tonight with Vincent Browne on TV3 has been holding "back room meetings" with Social Worker Party members, Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit, former Equality Commission head Niall Crowley and Dr. Kieran Allen. Phoenix also reports that Browne has been holding discussions with other left members who have featured on his programme.

Three days before the Dáil Right to Work march, Browne spoke at a Dublin Council of Trade Unions conference at Liberty Hall where he attacked Fine Gael for its right wing policies, before criticising Labour for planning a coalition government with that party. He even attacked Sinn Féin for not ruling out participation in coalition.

Three days later he walked with marchers to the Dáil, commentating and interviewing them for TV3 as he went along and was feted by one of the leading left-community activists, Rita Fagan, on live television as being the only one who was doing anything to solve the crisis.

Behind the scenes Browne is involved in discussions with People before Profit (PbP, a group dominated by the SWP) in efforts to cobble together an alternative left grouping. Leading SWP activists Cllr Richard Boyd Barrett and Kieran Allen have been at these talks, as have other left activists who have been on Browne’s TV3 programme. Former Equality Authority chief executive Niall Crowley has also been approached to become involved in the new grouping.

In his column in this morning's Irish Times, he confirms he's been in talks with people about forming an alliance, with no commitment from him to actually getting involved because he's a journalist and broadcaster.

Two months ago I was urged by a group of people to facilitate (ie chair) a meeting of people who believed an alliance of this kind was desirable. I did so on the understanding that I would not facilitate any further meetings, nor could I be involved in any political campaign because of my journalistic and TV work.

An exploratory meeting took place on Friday, April 23rd. It was attended by a few academics, a few people from NGOs, some from community groups, and one left-wing political party. The only decision was to meet again, this time with a larger group, and facilitated by one of the academics. A second meeting took place on Friday, May 14th, involving some more people, and a decision was taken to link up with other attempts to form an alliance. Another meeting is scheduled for next weekend.

Whether this attempt succeeds or not, such an alliance is crucial. If those committed to a more robust version of equality than is the current orthodoxy do nothing, then, by default, nothing will change.

Greater equality in all of our interest - The Irish Times - Wed, Jun 09, 2010

[TommyO'Brien]

I would have to question whether having exercised that role he can still continue as a current affairs broadcaster. He may fall foul of restrictions on the issue.

It is always foolhardy of a broadcaster of a major political programme to get involved in a political process like that, even on the periphery, unless they aim to leave broadcasting and commit to politics. He may find he has overstepped the mark and it could cost him his show.

[rubensni]

Everybody's got biases, but at least Browne's up front about his.

[TommyO'Brien]

Everybody's got biases, but at least Browne's up front about his.

Broadcasters are supposed to maintain the impression of impartiality. As soon as someone indicates their bias, they pretty much kiss goodbye to their broadcasting career.

For a start, how many politicians will now agree to go on his show when he has effectively shown a political alignment, and so has defined himself as a political opponent of them? I suspect TV3 management will also be worried about having their main political show fronted by someone who has shown a political alignment. In some countries open political alignments are a done thing in broadcasting. In Britain and Ireland it breaks a fundamental rule. Usually someone who reveals an alignment is put in broadcasting quarantine for a while after doing so, as G Lee, Diggy Duignan, and others have found out.

Browne may well have made a very very basic mistake that will drag in the BCC over allegations of bias in everything he does.

[The Underdog]

Broadcasters are supposed to maintain the impression of impartiality. As soon as someone indicates their bias, they pretty much kiss goodbye to their broadcasting career.

For a start, how many politicians will now agree to go on his show when he has effectively shown a political alignment, and so has defined himself as a political opponent of them? I suspect TV3 management will also be worried about having their main political show fronted by someone who has shown a political alignment. In some countries open political alignments are a done thing in broadcasting. In Britain and Ireland it breaks a fundamental rule. Usually someone who reveals an alignment is put in broadcasting quarantine for a while after doing so, as G Lee, Diggy Duignan, and others have found out.

Browne may well have made a very very basic mistake that will drag in the BCC over allegations of bias in everything he does.

So its ok for RTE presenters, and Independent media to be biased, but not VB ?

[TommyO'Brien]

So its ok for RTE presenters, and Independent media to be biased, but not VB ?

Broadcasters on any broadcasting station in Ireland are not allowed to align themselves with any movement. They never have been. A newsreader endorsing a charity needs special approval. Any personal links through their actions with any political movement is an absolute no-no in Irish broadcasting. Browne knows that full well. His contract probably specified it in black and white.

Dems de rules.

[jmcc]

The Browne Shirts?

Regards...jmcc

[Newsy]

So its ok for RTE presenters, and Independent media to be biased, but not VB ?

The spirit of true broadcasting is OBJECTIVITY......not subjective.

I don't see RTE as objective and Vinnie is truly subjective.....

[The Underdog]

Broadcasters on any broadcasting station in Ireland are not allowed to align themselves with any movement. They never have been. A newsreader endorsing a charity needs special approval. Any personal links through their actions with any political movement is an absolute no-no in Irish broadcasting. Browne knows that full well. His contract probably specified it in black and white.

Dems de rules.

Rules ? are they are applied fairly to everyone ?

Aside from the alignment rules, why are RTE broadcasters permitted to be biased ?

[Herodotus]

I've been hearing mumblings of a broad left slate to run at the next election. Would include PBPA/SWP, Socialist Party, ISN, Workers Party, Tipperary based workers and unemployed action group and independents like Declan Bree amongst others.

Could be Vinnie is chairing meetings all of these groups, working out teething problems. Such a grouping with proper financing could beat SF in seat numbers