I note that the panel of Questions and Answers last Monday featured two pro Lisbon Treaty organisations – Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. There was no representation from the anti treaty side.
I note that the panel on The Late Debate last night featured two pro Lisbon Treaty organisations – Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. The pro treaty representatives on the show, Mary O’Rourke (FF) and Alex White (Lab.) made a strong attack on the strategies employed by the anti treaty side. There was no representation from the anti treaty side.
I note that RTE (9th report) gave wide coverage to the launch of a booklet by the Referendum Commission outlining the main points of the treaty.
An advertising campaign by the Referendum Commission warns voters that unless they know everything about the issue they will be voting in the dark. The problem with this is that voters are not being asked to vote on the Treaty as such but on an outline of the main points as interpreted by the Commission.
The Commission, an allegedly neutral authority, is not supposed to give a view one way or the other. That, unfortunately, didn’t stop the chairman of the Commission from telling the nation that important issues like taxation and neutrality will not be altered by the treaty.
“That’s our considered position and we have no option but to so state it.”
These two issues, neutrality and taxation, are two of the main planks of the anti treaty campaign. No anti treaty representatives were asked what they thought of the pro treaty views of the Commission.
I vaguely remember, back in the mist of time some sort of a law requiring the national broadcaster to ensure a strict balance of reporting for each side in a referendum – perhaps I was just dreaming.
Copy to:
Questions and Answers
The Late Debate
On any show specifically relating to Lisbon, there should obviously be some balance. However, the idea that RTÉ should be forced to have someone on from the No side everytime the subject is vaguely touched on is mad. So, anytime someone from FG, FF, Labour or the PDs are on a general current affairs show, SF, the Socialist Party, CÓIR or Libertas should be given equality?!?! That’s ridiculous – why should we be forced to listen to fringe groups on a wide variety of issues, just because Lisbon might be discussed?
These two issues, neutrality and taxation, are two of the main planks of the anti treaty campaign.
Unfortunately, they are bunkum. The Referendum Commission has a duty to provide clarity to the public, to help explain the treaty and provide impartial information. If there are things which are patently untrue being stated, then they should clarify that.
“Any show specifically relating to Lisbon, there should obviously be some balance.”
Some balance?? John. Surely you mean complete balance. There may be a number of shows specifically dedicated to the Lisbon Treaty but by and large the vast amount of discussion will take place on the standard RTE News and Current Affairs shows. It is on these shows that RTE is required to have balance. The record to date is not good.
“The idea that RTÉ should be forced to have someone on from the No side every time the subject is vaguely touched on is mad.”
Vaguely touched on?? There was a specific question on Q & A about the Lisbon Treaty. RTE researchers/producers must have been fully aware that there was an obvious imbalance on the panel.
On the Late Debate the Yes side were allowed, without any challenge whatsoever, to make a strong attack on the No side. Even the presenter, Fergal Keane, seemed to be in agreement with the Yes side.
“So, anytime someone from FG, FF, Labour or the PDs are on a general current affairs show, SF, the Socialist Party, CÓIR or Libertas should be given equality?!?! That’s ridiculous.”
You may think it’s ridiculous John but in most democratic countries who take balanced broadcasting seriously that’s exactly how they operate. I have been unable to source the law but I’m pretty sure there’s something there that requires RTE to adhere strictly to balanced broadcasting especially during referendum/election campaigns.
Yes, the Referendum Commission is supposed to provide impartial information on the Treaty. Why then is the chairman of the commission going around giving his ‘considered position’ on various aspects of the Treaty?
To date all his ‘considered opinions/positions support the Yes side. I’m still waiting for his ‘considered position’ on Bertie Ahern’s claim that all No voters are lunatics. Perhaps the chairman is agreement with Ahern and therefore sees no reason to dispute the view.
You may think it’s ridiculous John but in most democratic countries who take balanced broadcasting seriously that’s exactly how they operate.
Do they? Can you show me these other countries where this is the case with regard to general current affairs shows?
Why should FG or Labour or FF be deprived a chance to put forward their views on Health Services in the west because they all agree on Lisbon – conversely, why should a group of individuals with little public representation be guaranteed air time on a wide variety of subjects for the whole month, just because they are against Lisbon?
Yes, the Referendum Commission is supposed to provide impartial information on the Treaty. Why then is the chairman of the commission going around giving his ‘considered position’ on various aspects of the Treaty?
Because that is his job? Maybe you think a debate dominated by the fantasies for the no campaign is good for democracy, I don’t. Unfortunately, unless you change the meaning of words, the No campaigns claims on Tax Harmonisation are bunkum – pure and simple.
John you might consider that the government lost the first “Nice” referendum and didn’t win the second one by a landslide either should all these people about .5 million be consider “barmy” belonging to the lunatic fringe or whatever just because they don’t agree with you. They may think you are “barmy” they might be right.
If this Lisbon treaty is so good why are they so afraid of any debate ?
Also as regards the main political parties and their supporters how many of them really know what they are voting for ? most only vote that way because their parents did or they
have a job in the civil service or because they are on television alot.
Also as regards the EU/EEC what makes this such a good thing for Ireland ?
They gave away the Irish fishing industry just to get in ( that was a industry worth £6-7 billion year what is it worth now ?). I remember the 80’s as being the worst decade with lots of factories shutting down and mass unemployment/Emigration where did all these jobs go ?
We would lived and prospered without Europe and maybe we still would ….