Censored: FF gags radio stations on eve of poll

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By Fionnán Sheahan, Political Correspondent
irishexaminer.com

FIANNA FÁIL intervened to censor radio stations yesterday from broadcasting a number of news stories ahead of today's local and European elections.

Fianna Fáil HQ complained to the broadcasting watchdog that the reports could influence how people will vote in today's election.

RTÉ were not constrained from covering stories on union objections to decentralisation, possible cuts in the Garda Síochána and threats of a strike by bus and train workers. However, on foot of complaints from Fianna Fáil, independent stations were gagged by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI), which regulates all independent stations, including Today FM.

Under BCI rules, independent stations are not allowed to broadcast any material which might influence the outcome of an election or referendum on the day before polling and on the day itself. RTÉ also self-impose this moratorium, yet decided the stories did not interfere with the election campaigns.It is understood that Fianna Fáil also complained to RTÉ about an appearance by Green Party TD John Gormley on Morning Ireland yesterday in a debate on the pungent smell emanating from the Ringsend waste treatment plant.

The move by Fianna Fáil to silence the independent radio stations, which command around half the country's listenership, from covering standard news stories yesterday was condemned by opposition parties and trade unions last night.

Fianna Fáil complained about the coverage of the decentralisation and garda station stories on a number of stations. "Fianna Fáil's view is that the stories were in breach of the BCI guidelines. The final decision rests with the BCI," a FF spokesperson said.Apart from banning stations from covering these two stories, the BCI subsequently restricted news bulletins featuring the threatened bus and rail strike.

Fine Gael described Fianna Fáil attempts to gag the media as desperate and sinister, and Labour said the BCI had backed down in the face of pressure from Fianna Fáil.

The National Bus and Rail Workers Union said it was blatant political interference by a political party and that people deserved to know there may be disruption to services.

National Union of Journalists secretary Seamus Dooley accused the BCI of being heavy-handed and confusing news and election stories. Today FM head of news Ian Noctor said the station was amazed by the approach and said he had never experienced anything like it before. "We mentioned public affairs stories as usual and the BCI felt these could potentially influence the electorate. We think this is way, way above the call of duty," he said.

The BCI is directly answerable to the Government and board members are appointed by the Minister for Communications.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/pport/web/ireland/Full_Story/did-sgNk38FJ5Dfh2sgdL11Zs5FWAE.asp

flogen

not being able to report anything that could sway a vote on the day before an election is abit general... what if a station found information that proved to be very important... would they have to wait until after the vote to tell the people?

Stupid. The news reporters not allowed to report.

Flogen

mike65

I would'nt blame Fianna Fail on this, they saw something they did'nt like made a complaint, which they are entitiled to do and then the BCI ruled.

If anyone is to blame its the BCI, clearly they were heavy handed.

Why is'nt RTE subject to the BCI legistation?

Mike.

flogen

afaik BCI only covers Independent broadcasters, while RTE are a Public Service Broadcaster, and are answerable to a seperate body.

Flogen

monument

Originally posted by mike65
I would'nt blame Fianna Fail on this, they saw something they did'nt like made a complaint, which they are entitiled to do and then the BCI ruled.

If anyone is to blame its the BCI, clearly they were heavy handed.

The BCI is directly answerable to the Government and board members are appointed by the Minister for Communications.

mike65

Did'nt know that! Thats crazy....

Mike.

DMC

Its the same as the BBC is not covered by Ofcom in the UK. Self governing.

I actually blame the reporters and their editors, who should've known better. Since the 1960's RTÉ never reported election news on the day before the polls (Thursday), a moratorium on party political activites. All the parties had their last news conferences on Wednesday. The BCI, when the IRTC, set this up into their code when it was established. Different rules for the press, I don't have those to hand, its more an unwritten code... but I'm sure they cant do anything on the day of polling itself, but can the day before.

I'm sure Labour would've complained if there was something was said about Bacik or Frankie Ross, and more a case of the "outrage" from journalists helping each other.

chewy

the things they block weren't election news they were jsut everyday news...

transport workers might strike, when is that not in the news...?