The "War" Against Newstalk

Harry Palmr

They're queueing up to give NT a kicking, and it is the station rather than just George Hook at this stage as minor political parties, a hotel chain and Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole boycotting the station for no doubt entirely self interested publicity driven honourable reasons.

Isn't this all a bit silly? A response more worthy of the playground than functioning adults. It's no less than what one would expect from the IT scribbler but to what ends? If he wants to drive Hooky off air all that's likely to happen is his own position to become entrenched - anyone think DO'B Towers will accede to the wishes of a metropolitan 'right on'? Not me. Likewise the handful of people who constitute Solidarity have decided not to darken their doors again - will anyone notice and should they as a minority left wing party be so quick to shut themselves out of a national broadcaster?

Seems very short-sighted.

L1011

In Hooks case, I suspect there's a lot of people rather happy that there's finally something they can hang him with - his brand of presentation and facilitation of cranks like Michael Graham wasn't popular with many to begin with and has grown tiring for some of those who were OK with it.

Potential interviewees boycotting the station as a whole are generally doing it for their own media profiles. The reciprocal "We won't talk to the Irish Times" thing from NT is petty and will not look good if they do want to proceed with the INM manoeuvres.

Solidarity never really got on NT very much anyway - Vincent Browne was their outlet before; and I really don't see the replacement show being as open to them!

Elmo

I'd question NewsTalk's bias. Traditionally news and current affairs presenters have been balanced on both TV and Radio in Ireland. The same is said for most European countries, indeed Ireland's licencing system is based on that of the UKs which demands balance.

Newstalk seem to be heading towards a very unbalanced type of broadcasting. Their presenters seem to be no more than mouth pieces and are definitely edging towards far right wing economics. However I do like both Kenny and Monicreif if they are the balance perhaps they have got it right.

I don't really understand why Ivan Yeats was given the drive time slot. His audience figures on either indo broadcaster don't point to him getting that prime time slot. It's not like he is Pat Kenny, and even he as struggled to gain audiences at Newstalk and TV3.

As for George, he's just someone I cann't listen too, he doesn't have a voice for radio.

Harry Palmr

Bias? Everyone has bias - RTE's is clear enough when you listen to the likes of Marian Funicane for example. Anyway that's not the topic of this thread - it's the about attacking a broadcaster to get at one presenter.

hmmm

Most media in Ireland has a very left-wing bias, as do many of the media commentators. They seem to be delighted to find an angle to attack commentators who lean in the other direction - preferably through outrage-boycotts and not through debate.

ANXIOUS

I haven't been following it too closely so not sure where it's at presently. George shouldn't have said what he did and I thought it was very inappropriate. He has apologized and my question is now what more do people want? It appears to me now if you make a mistake on a platform like George people don't want you to ever work again. Like they don't seem to want anything except his head.

Rumple Stillson

hmmm wrote: »

Most media in Ireland has a very left-wing bias, as do many of the media commentators. They seem to be delighted to find an angle to attack commentators who lean in the other direction - preferably through outrage-boycotts and not through debate.

Never ceases to amaze me how unwilling those on the left are to openly debate issues, you either agree or your a racist/Nazi/misogynist... I lean to the left btw

tritriagain

Rumple Stillson wrote: »

Never ceases to amaze me how unwilling those on the left are to openly debate issues, you either agree or your a racist/Nazi/misogynist... I lean to the left btw

Totally agree. I voted for same sex marriage but have to say I was disgusted by the canvassing that went on. If you didn't vote for it you were considered a homophobic hillbilly with not an ounce of intelligence. In a democracy all citizens are entitled to their individual opinion and should not be abused and belittled because of this. I think Noel Whelan also commented on this aspect of the referendum and he was also pro same sex marriage as far as I can remember.

Rumple Stillson

tritriagain wrote: »

Totally agree. I voted for same sex marriage but have to say I was disgusted by the canvassing that went on. If you didn't vote for it you were considered a homophobic hillbilly with not an ounce of intelligence. In a democracy all citizens are entitled to their individual opinion and should not be abused and belittled because of this. I think Noel Whelan also commented on this aspect of the referendum and he was also pro same sex marriage as far as I can remember.

The abortion debate and possible future referendum will be the same again...I am pro same sex marriage and pro choice but people who hold opposing views should be allowed express them with being ridiculed by the left. I'm not religious but those that are should be allowed to hold views that are shaped by their beliefs. Thankfully they will be in the minority but I respect their views even if I don't share them.

dresden8

Nothing new here.

Sure didn't Inda himself boycott Vincent.

If the Taoiseach can throw a sulk why can't anybody else.

If the Taoiseach does it you can hardly accuse anybody else of unparliamentary behaviour.

hadoken13

I think they are right to go against Newstalk. Newstalk aren't doing enough to condemn Hook's despicable comments and frankly an apology won't cut it - this tool has been getting away with out-of-touch comments for years. Yes they are doing it partly to fuel their own careers and agendas but Hook must be held accountable.

tritriagain

hadoken13 wrote: »

I think they are right to go against Newstalk. Newstalk aren't doing enough to condemn Hook's despicable comments and frankly an apology won't cut it - this tool has been getting away with out-of-touch comments for years. Yes they are doing it partly to fuel their own careers and agendas but Hook must be held accountable.

For words?

hadoken13

tritriagain wrote: »

For words?

Meaning?

tritriagain

hadoken13 wrote: »

Meaning?

Meaning if people don't agree with something said they should either debate rationally or ignore but this constant "I'm offended" is getting boring to be honest. By the way I'm not having a go at you . Just tired of issues dominating the "news" while real and important issues seem to be ignored.

Charmeleon

hadoken13 wrote: »

I think they are right to go against Newstalk. Newstalk aren't doing enough to condemn Hook's despicable comments and frankly an apology won't cut it - this tool has been getting away with out-of-touch comments for years. Yes they are doing it partly to fuel their own careers and agendas but Hook must be held accountable.

"Getting away with out of touch comments".

Disturbing thought process there. Why should people not be allowed 'get away' with expressing unpopular opinions? What should we do to people who don't?

hadoken13

That's fair enough - and I never take comments personally so don't worry there, I was just wondering what your question was. In my opinion it's not just words though, he has a large audience and victim blaming is just wrong he shouldn't have said it pure and simple. It appears to be a mindset that a lot of people have in this country and it should be stopped.

Rumple Stillson

hadoken13 wrote: »

That's fair enough - and I never take comments personally so don't worry there, I was just wondering what your question was. In my opinion it's not just words though, he has a large audience and victim blaming is just wrong he shouldn't have said it pure and simple. It appears to be a mindset that a lot of people have in this country and it should be stopped.

He apologised, I don't think he can do much more. Perhaps he should be dismissed but his whole thing is expressing his widely out of touch views. This one is particularly poor to be fair.

DickSwiveller

hadoken13 wrote: »

I think they are right to go against Newstalk. Newstalk aren't doing enough to condemn Hook's despicable comments and frankly an apology won't cut it - this tool has been getting away with out-of-touch comments for years. Yes they are doing it partly to fuel their own careers and agendas but Hook must be held accountable.

Let me translate some of your comment for the uninitiated

1. "Despicable Comments" = I disagree with him.

2. "out-of-touch" = Currently unfashionable opinion.

3. "Held accountable" = Sacked.

Orwell would be proud of your newspeak efforts.

hadoken13

Charmeleon wrote: »

"Getting away with out of touch comments".

Disturbing thought process there. Why should people not be allowed 'get away' with expressing unpopular opinions? What should we do to people who don't?

It's not about unpopular comments it's about wrong and despicable comments. I'm not talking about stoning or getting out the lynch mob, I'm talking about being held accountable. It's easy to dismiss the comments as just being someone's opinions and accepting an apology - what about getting fined or docked pay or a walk of shame like in GOT. That way other like-minded individuals may think twice when making irrational comments.

hadoken13

DickSwiveller wrote: »

Let me translate some of your comment for the uninitiated

1. "Despicable Comments" = I disagree with him.

2. "out-of-touch" = Currently unfashionable opinion.

3. "Held accountable" = Sacked.

Orwell would be proud of your newspeak efforts.

Do you agree with what he said or believe it's not that bad?

Unfashionable opinion - tell me when these comments would ever be fashionable?

DickSwiveller

hadoken13 wrote: »

walk of shame like in GOT. That way other like-minded individuals may think twice when making irrational comments.

You're definitely on a wind up. Give up.

DickSwiveller

hadoken13 wrote: »

Do you agree with what he said or believe it's not that bad?

Unfashionable opinion - tell me when these comments would ever be fashionable?

I don't think it was that bad.

Elmo

Re: Bias, yes there is a bias among presenters but NewsTalk is going down the road of Fox News, I don't think total bias in a presenter should be allowed. No problem with George having a debate with someone but he wasn't having a debate he was giving his view.

If I get into bed with a girl and she then robs me blind, who's to blame?

I dislike both sides. Overtly PC types who condemn anything and everything, and those who talk about PC types getting offended. Both are as bad as one another.

George would be a man of polite society according to himself, what he said was not polite.

You can't blame someone for a misjudgment, mistake following a crime. It'd be like the headline Murder Victim Shouldn't Have Being Sleeping Says Murderer.

hadoken13

DickSwiveller wrote: »

I don't think it was that bad.

Now who's the one on a wind-up?

DickSwiveller

Elmo wrote: »

Re: Bias, yes there is a bias among presenters but NewsTalk is going down the road of Fox News, I don't think total bias in a presenter should be allowed. No problem with George having a debate with someone but he wasn't having a debate he was giving his view.

If I get into bed with a girl and she then robs me blind, who's to blame?

I dislike both sides. Overtly PC types who condemn anything and everything, and those who talk about PC types getting offended. Both are as bad as one another.

George would be a man of polite society according to himself, what he said was not polite.

You can't blame someone for a misjudgment, mistake following a crime. It'd be like the headline Murder Victim Shouldn't Have Being Sleeping Says Murderer.

For the 10 billionth time, he said the alleged rapist was fully responsible. Do people really have so much time on their hands that they're perpetually offended by remarks he made last week. Jesus Christ. Move on.

DickSwiveller

hadoken13 wrote: »

Now who's the one on a wind-up?

I fear you're a victim of peer pressure, and like to follow popular opinion. If I was you I'd take a break from Facebook and Twitter for a while. The bubble is a dangerous thing.

tritriagain

To be honest I don't agree with the word blame but I do think people have a responsibility for their own safety. I have a 19 year old son and I have had numerous talks with him on safety while socialising. I also have a 13 year old daughter and, rightly or wrongly , I will be having even more talks with her as again , rightly or wrongly, I feel she will be more vunerable in these situations. I maybe accused of being sexist because of this but I really don't give a ****. I wonder do a lot of the outraged posters here have kids of this age and if the don't will their views change when they do.
On a side note soon after my son was born I was out for a few pints and took a shortcut home through a known dodgy lane. 2 fellas started on me but luckily im a big bloke and was able to handle myself and they came off worst. I told my wife the next day and she ate the bollox off my saying that I was irresponsible for going that way and that I have son now and need to copy on. Should she apologise to me now that George had to.

hadoken13

DickSwiveller wrote: »

I fear you're a victim of peer pressure, and like to follow popular opinion. If I was you I'd take a break from Facebook and Twitter for a while. The bubble is a dangerous thing.

Says the guy who is complaining about moving on and yet is visiting and commenting on threads about the topic.

Don't have a Facebook account and don't go on twitter during the week. I used to listen to Newstalk every day on the way to and from work and I just feel they should take a stronger hand against this kind of talk - don't think it is a mis-judgement at all as he is prone to these kinds of comments.

DickSwiveller

hadoken13 wrote: »

Says the guy who is crying about moving on and yet is visiting and commenting on threads about the topic.

Don't have a Facebook account and don't go on twitter during the week. I used to listen to Newstalk every day on the way to and from work and I just feel they should take a stronger hand against this kind of talk - don't think it is a mis-judgement at all as he is prone to these kinds of comments.

If you don't like it don't listen. It's not very difficult.

Rumple Stillson

hadoken13 wrote: »

Says the guy who is crying about moving on and yet is visiting and commenting on threads about the topic.

Don't have a Facebook account and don't go on twitter during the week. I used to listen to Newstalk every day on the way to and from work and I just feel they should take a stronger hand against this kind of talk - don't think it is a mis-judgement at all as he is prone to these kinds of comments.

How odd!:pac:

I think the comments were insensitive at best and cruel at worst but his apology was unreserved and clear. Should he be sacked for this, I think that would be disproportionate on this occasion.

Nekarsulm

Nous ne sommes pas Charlie.

Amazing how all the media darlings and Facebook fashionistas all proclaim absolute belief in free speech, until all of a sudden it offends their sensibilities.
Then its a case of "Fire him. Fire him, Fire him"
20 out of 60 of Newstalks personnel signed a letter demanding his removal from the station, and a spokesperson has stated that they arrived into work on Monday presuming that he would be gone. "We were horrified to se him there as normal".

What are they going to do if the station lets him remain?
Resign from a radio station because they didn't get to limit free speech?
Can they not see the irony there?

If you read the complete transcript you will see that he stated, not unreasonably I thought, how ill advised it is to drink so much that you get sick in someone's bathroom, and fall asleep in an alcoholic stupor on the toilet