Press freedom and INM

Colonel Claptrap

Gravelly wrote: »

Can you think of a reason that might be the case? Perhaps something in the track record of <redacted> in relation to ministers making decisions that are inexplicably favorable to him?

I completely agree with what you're getting at.

But sadly, in this case, there is no smoke. Nevermind fire.

I fully support O'Brien getting everything coming to him. He's a scumbag. But sadly a minister's name appearing in an avadavit gave the media a stiffy, who threw out due process before screaming "Corruption!"

Sadly, the body politic jumped aboard the hype train too and screamed bloody murder. Know which battles to fight lads. Otherwise you end up looking hysterical.

McMurphy

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

The dogs in the street knew it would get referred to the BAI.

There was already heightened interest in O'Brien's role in Irish media. Everyone knew this acquisition was going to be picked apart and scrutinised. There would have been hell if it went ahead without BAI having a say. And rightly so.

So why did he not say so when asked in the Dail?
Why does Naughten now "regret" the conversation even happened?
Why the investigation?

I think Denis will be lucky to keep his job on this one.

Colonel Claptrap

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Then why have the ODCE launched an investigation?

Because Robert Pitt blew the whistle on the Newstalk sale.

Colonel Claptrap

Johnny Dogs wrote: »

So why did he not say so when asked in the Dail?
Why does Naughten now "regret" the conversation even happened?
Why the investigation?

I think Denis will be lucky to keep his job on this one.

Have a read of his statement. When asked in the Dail, he had then formally received the report which was under consideration by his officials. It's not appropriate to comment at that time.

If my face was all over the newspapers I'd regret being so open. He should start by taking down his mobile phone number from the internet. That's asking for trouble.

ohnonotgmail

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

Because Robert Pitt blew the whistle on the Newstalk sale.

but if the dogs in the street knew then there was no insider information.

Colonel Claptrap

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

but if the dogs in the street knew then there was no insider information.

You're confusing two different issues.

It has yet to be shown if the information was privileged.

Think about it. Before the decision O'Brien owned 29% of INM.

After his wiley lobbyist got the scoop from the minister he still owned 29%.

Why didn't O'Brien dump his shares if he had insider information?

Answer: it was not insider information.

Colonel Claptrap

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/inm-investor-wants-company-to-buy-back-o-brien-s-stake-1.3467647?mode=amp

One of INM's largest shareholders urges company to buy O'Brien's shares back. O'Brien spent €500m accumulating the position so would likely be uninterested in selling them back at €33m.

Shares are currently trading at 8 cent.
Surely the company will not survive the investigation.

expectationlost

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

Have a read of his statement. When asked in the Dail, he had then formally received the report which was under consideration by his officials. It's not appropriate to comment at that time.

If my face was all over the newspapers I'd regret being so open. He should start by taking down his mobile phone number from the internet. That's asking for trouble.

that would be a good point accept he also said it was inappropiate to comment on the 17th which was in between the time the CCPC made its decision to clear the mergier from its pov and INM/CMNL notified the Minister of their continued interest in merging https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2016-11-17a.714&s=merger+speaker%3A206#g716.r

MikeyTaylor

Ursus Horribilis wrote: »

It's still not going to change how much of the media is owned by DOB. It should never have been allowed happen in the first place. And there's an unwillingness to do anything about it retrospectively.

He is more or less the Irish Donald Trump.

Gravelly

MikeyTaylor wrote: »

He is more or less the Irish Donald Trump.

Except Trump was elected.

MikeyTaylor

Gravelly wrote: »

Except Trump was elected.

He's still not President any more than in name. He has zero political experience prior.

Gravelly

MikeyTaylor wrote: »

He's still not President any more than in name. He has zero political experience prior.

What a silly statement. He was elected, he is the president. Whether he's a shïte president or a brilliant president, whether he spent a lifetime in politics or only entered it the day he entered the race makes absolutely no difference whatsoever to the fact that he is the president. :rolleyes:

MikeyTaylor

Gravelly wrote: »

What a silly statement. He was elected, he is the president. Whether he's a shïte president or a brilliant president, whether he spent a lifetime in politics or only entered it the day he entered the race makes absolutely no difference whatsoever to the fact that he is the president. :rolleyes:

In name only.

Gravelly

MikeyTaylor wrote: »

In name only.

Better tell the Federal government that, I understand they think he's the actual president, and are allowing him to run the country, use Air Force One and live in the White House.

MikeyTaylor

Gravelly wrote: »

Better tell the Federal government that, I understand they think he's the actual president, and are allowing him to run the country, use Air Force One and live in the White House.

And fire Steve Bannon who in my opinion was the de facto President?

Gravelly

MikeyTaylor wrote: »

And fire Steve Bannon who in my opinion was the de facto President?

There's your problem right there.

MikeyTaylor

Gravelly wrote: »

There's your problem right there.

Many other people thought the same you know.

Gravelly

MikeyTaylor wrote: »

Many other people thought the same you know.

But it's the people that voted that matter. I think Angel Merkel is a disaster as German Chancellor, and has wrecked Europe, but I'd be an idiot if I believed my thinking that somehow made her not the real German Chancellor.

I think, a bit like Father Dougal and the Spider Baby, you're mixing up what is real and what happens inside your head.

MikeyTaylor

Gravelly wrote: »

But it's the people that voted that matter. I think Angel Merkel is a disaster as German Chancellor, and has wrecked Europe, but I'd be an idiot if I believed my thinking that somehow made her not the real German Chancellor.

I think, a bit like Father Dougal and the Spider Baby, you're mixing up what is real and what happens inside your head.

I do agree about Merkel but at least she has prior political experience rather than business/celebrity status.

Deise Vu

Things are hotting up:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/inm-sues-former-chairman-buckley-in-wake-of-odce-probe-into-major-suspected-data-breach-36963178.html

I can say from experience that being involved in court cases is extremely draining on your time, energy and cash. The amount of correspondence, meetings, court filings etc that go on before you even get near a court is mind boggling. Not too mention constantly going over your notes so you get your version of the facts and timeline right is unreal pressure. Between this and the ODCE investigation, Mr Buckley is going to have a busy and interesting retirement.

LuckyLloyd

Et tu, Denis?

Colonel Claptrap

Not sure how I feel about another Irish billionaire bidding for INM. What does Larry Goodman want with a newspaper?

Sunday Business Post suggests that INM is ripe to be taken into private ownership, thanks to its sizeable cash pile.

Gravelly

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

Not sure how I feel about another Irish billionaire bidding for INM. What does Larry Goodman want with a newspaper?

Sunday Business Post suggests that INM is ripe to be taken into private ownership, thanks to its sizeable cash pile.

Well he has made a living out of butchery......

Deise Vu

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

Not sure how I feel about another Irish billionaire bidding for INM. What does Larry Goodman want with a newspaper?

Sunday Business Post suggests that INM is ripe to be taken into private ownership, thanks to its sizeable cash pile.

Seems to have similar traits to other people who like to control the news invest in national media. Enjoyed close relations with senior Govt figures, benefited greatly from the State and has a penchant for taking court cases.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2003/0917/42323-beef/

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/goodman-apology-would-be-apt-memorial-1.567501

MikeyTaylor

MikeyTaylor wrote: »

I do agree about Merkel but at least she has prior political experience rather than business/celebrity status.

Also, it was Hillary Clinton who won the popular vote.

Colonel Claptrap

ODCE appeal went against INM in the courts today.

Ouch.