Newstalk bans Irish Times Journalists

_Dara_ · 06-10-2017 08:27AM

VinLieger wrote: »

George hook was removed from his job for something he said that was hurtful, fintan said something moronic, ridiculously hyperbolic and factually untrue and he as well as his employer refuse to apologise for or retract that, however George did apologise..... several times. The two situations as much people would like to believe are entirely different.

They were both being denied a platform - from that POV, if you think one is fine and the other isn’t, you are being hypocritical.

Oh and the Newstalk platform is still available to Hook. He still works for the station.

I’d also disagree that the IT needs to apologise but that’s a matter of opinion.

Rumpy Pumpy · 06-10-2017 08:33AM

I love how seemingly semi-intelligent folk around here seem to lose all sense of rationality when it comes to Denis O’Brien. He gets portrayed as this almost Bond-like villain - sitting at his desk in an extinct volcano, stroking a cat, and laughing maniacally.

Can’t imagine the man has any great input or interest in decisions like this. Newstalk took the decision to ban Irish Times hacks because notorious pontificator and pain in the hoop, Fintan ‘The Voice of Modern Ireland’ O’Toole jumped on the anti-Hook bandwagon and wrote one of his laziest and most indulgent articles ever. Insulted management, staff and presenters on the station.

Very strong move by Newstalk, even if it will only be a temporary thing. I’m sure that Fintan and his buddies can start a podcast or something.

_Dara_ · 06-10-2017 08:37AM

No arguments that Newstalk are well within their rights to do this but it’s not a strong move. It’s a petty move which is pretty much the diametric opposite of strong. I’m sure they were going for powerful but it just makes them seem rattled.

O’Toole has a national platform. No need for a podcast just yet.

VinLieger · 06-10-2017 08:40AM

_Dara_ wrote: »

They were both being denied a platform - from that POV, if you think one is fine and the other isn’t, you are being hypocritical.

Oh and the Newstalk platform is still available to Hook. He still works for the station.

I’d also disagree that the IT needs to apologise but that’s a matter of opinion.

TBH I don't care about platforms and i think that whole argument is a joke with people on both sides of the discussion just desperate to find a reasonable sounding excuse for their positions. I have a problem with people relentlessly ganging up on someone who really didn't deserve that kind of vitriolic hate.

TBH i honestly think Fintan's delighted and probably still banging one out over this cus he loves being indignant on others behalf but he never actually gets to play the victim so this must be his dream come true.

meeeeh · 06-10-2017 08:43AM

_Dara_ wrote: »

They were both being denied a platform - from that POV, if you think one is fine and the other isn’t, you are being hypocritical.

Oh and the Newstalk platform is still available to Hook. He still works for the station.

I’d also disagree that the IT needs to apologise but that’s a matter of opinion.

Irish Times journalists are employed by IT. The situation would be comparable if Fintan O'Toole was in danger of being let go from IT because of his opinions. There is a difference between not inviting someone on a program and threatening to take away their paid employment. Journalists won't be afraid to voice their opinion or work on contentious stories because they can't go on NT, they would be if their employment was threatened.

06-10-2017 08:56AM

RobertKK wrote: »

Newstalk is upping it's quality.

Surprised people still pay for the Irish Times, it is too PC and preaches on certain topics.

saw on another forum its readership is down to 50k, I wonder why

06-10-2017 08:58AM

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I don't think I have ever heard Una Mulally on radio. Bit of a pathetic move by DOB anyway.

Do you get paid to go on air an contribute to radio shows or are all these people just doing it for their profile?

Mullalley has been on Last word a number of times and I think Alison Curtis's show....Ray D'arcys as well

silverharp · 06-10-2017 09:17AM

Sunny Dirty Track-and-field wrote: »

saw on another forum its readership is down to 50k, I wonder why

says 77K though give it a couple of years and it will get to 50K , it will close down at some stage , I doubt anyone in school today will ever buy one

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/the-irish-times-had-daily-circulation-of-77-657-in-first-half-of-this-year-1.3190023

conorhal · 06-10-2017 09:29AM

spookwoman wrote: »

More like cancelled
http://www.thejournal.ie/dil-wickremasinghe-newstalk-show-cancelled-3632151-Oct2017/?utm_source=shortlink

I'm sure she'll be fine, and welcomed with open arms by a multitude of quangos.

She should have been outright fired though, with the station fighting a fire you can't tollerate a backroom rebellion that's fanning the flames.

conorhal · 06-10-2017 09:31AM

silverharp wrote: »

says 77K though give it a couple of years and it will get to 50K , it will close down at some stage , I doubt anyone in school today will ever buy one

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/the-irish-times-had-daily-circulation-of-77-657-in-first-half-of-this-year-1.3190023

Do they still give the IT out for free to freshers in college? They were like SJW drug dealers outside the school gate, "wanna try some political correctness? All the cool kids are doing it!"

mzungu · 06-10-2017 09:38AM

Rumpy Pumpy wrote: »

I love how seemingly semi-intelligent folk around here seem to lose all sense of rationality when it comes to Denis O’Brien. He gets portrayed as this almost Bond-like villain - sitting at his desk in an extinct volcano, stroking a cat, and laughing maniacally.

Can’t imagine the man has any great input or interest in decisions like this. Newstalk took the decision to ban Irish Times hacks because notorious pontificator and pain in the hoop, Fintan ‘The Voice of Modern Ireland’ O’Toole jumped on the anti-Hook bandwagon and wrote one of his laziest and most indulgent articles ever. Insulted management, staff and presenters on the station.

Very strong move by Newstalk, even if it will only be a temporary thing. I’m sure that Fintan and his buddies can start a podcast or something.

I don't agree, I think it's a weak move by Newstalk. Comes across as a playground grudge. If their skin is that weak, then they really shouldn't be in the media game. What they should have done was challenged the IT/O'Toole through open debate. That would have been the proper response.

AustinLostin · 06-10-2017 09:38AM

Loving all the drama in this, loved the hysterical backlash against George by the 'eternally offended' originally, loved the histrionic backlash against the original backlash by 'the eternally offended by the eternally offended.'
Hope there will be a backlash backlash backlash, can someone write a think piece asap
And now this. Its the gift that keeps on giving.

I hope everyone ends up banned from everywhere frankly.

06-10-2017 09:39AM

conorhal wrote: »

She should have been outright fired though, with the station fighting a fire you can't tollerate a backroom rebellion that's fanning the flames.

Station accused of misogyny sacks lesbian feminist.

Hmmmm. I think if anything might have fanned flames...

Biggest lickspittle on boardz · 06-10-2017 10:21AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Station accused of misogyny sacks lesbian feminist.

Hmmmm. I think if anything might have fanned flames...

Yeah, we should just turn a blind eye to misconduct based on the employees sexuality, race, or political views.

What could POSSIBLY go wrong?

The tantrum blew up in her face, and I'm delighted. Well done Denis O Brien and Co.

06-10-2017 10:25AM

Biggest lickspittle on boardz wrote: »

Yeah, we should just turn a blind eye to misconduct...

I haven't read her contract so not sure what is defined as misconduct on it.

Not sure why we might be concerned as to what constitutes misconduct in a workplace anyway. The arrangement between her and her employers is kinda none of our business really.

conorhal · 06-10-2017 10:26AM

Biggest lickspittle on boardz wrote: »

Yeah, we should just turn a blind eye to misconduct based on the employees sexuality, race, or political views.

What could POSSIBLY go wrong?

The tantrum blew up in her face, and I'm delighted. Well done Denis O Brien and Co.

You only have to look at the Evergreen College insanity to see what happens when you hand out PC armor to cry-bullies and refuse to call them on their behaviour.

VinLieger · 06-10-2017 10:29AM

Deleted User wrote: »

I haven't read her contract so not sure what is defined as misconduct on it.

Not sure why we might be concerned as to what constitutes misconduct in a workplace anyway. The arrangement between her and her employers is kinda none of our business really.

Im gonna go out on a limb and say demanding another employee be fired or else you wont do your own job is probably not specifically listed in most peoples contracts but definitely not something you can just expect to get away with scott free either.

Unless George had specifically done something against her that violates some kind of workplace agreement then shes definitely in the wrong from a legal standpoint.

Opinionated Onion · 06-10-2017 10:33AM

pilly wrote: »

I asked a question, didn't just post the link.

I agree it was never a free speech issue but the amount of people on the original case saying this was free speech being stifled was huge. I'm just wondering will they object as much to this action.

It's possible for both things to be wrong.... I assume you mean that George Hook by 'the original case'. Both were/are about free speech, and neither is good. Arbitrary witch hunts are bad, curtailing the freedom of one arm of the press by one of the largest media holders in Ireland is bad.

Hooks Golf Handicap · 06-10-2017 10:39AM

Well done NT on what could have been a debacle.

Give Georgie a few months gardening leave for optics, keep the sponsors & the reactionaries happy.
Go Alex Fergusson on the Irish Times, whip up a new storm.
In ensuing good day to bury bad news take Dil the dissenter out the back & put her down.
Allow the froth of the feminist Twitterati to settle & George will be back for Christmas.

Well played NT, well played.

If I were Chris O'Donoghue I'd be planking it.

meeeeh · 06-10-2017 10:39AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I haven't read her contract so not sure what is defined as misconduct on it.

Not sure why we might be concerned as to what constitutes misconduct in a workplace anyway. The arrangement between her and her employers is kinda none of our business really.

She refused to present the show if Hook is not fired. Hook was not fired so I can't see any other resolution as her leaving.

She didn't offend me in the same way she seems to offend some. I just didn't find there that good, I'm also not Hook fan although I think some of his slots with regulars were good (stats, essential song, movies...). But there could be only one winner between her and Hook when you look at listenership numbers they can attract. Newstalk is a commercial station.

VinLieger · 06-10-2017 10:40AM

Its actually gotten to the stage where the drama going on about the station is more interesting than anything they have on the air

pilly · 06-10-2017 10:41AM

Opinionated Onion wrote: »

It's possible for both things to be wrong.... I assume you mean that George Hook by 'the original case'. Both were/are about free speech, and neither is good. Arbitrary witch hunts are bad, curtailing the freedom of one arm of the press by one of the largest media holders in Ireland is bad.

I totally agree it's possible both things are wrong. In fact my point is that if you feel one is wrong and the other is right that you're a hypocrite.

I've more respect for someone who on either side says both are wrong or both are right.

This is not what's happening though, people are blatantly saying out straight yeah fcuk the IT because I don't like them. Fcuk FOT, he's an asshole. Fcuk Dill because I don't like her. Blah blah blah.

So it's only okay to silence the voices you don't like? Height of hypocrisy.

Personally I think both are wrong and bad for what we call a "free" press. I don't agree for a second with what Hook said but I never thought he should be sacked for it. Final warning maybe.

By you I'm talking about people in general, not yourself OO.

Uosdwis R. Dewoh · 06-10-2017 10:47AM

Biggest lickspittle on boardz wrote: »

Yeah, we should just turn a blind eye to misconduct based on the employees sexuality, race, or political views.

What could POSSIBLY go wrong?

The tantrum blew up in her face, and I'm delighted. Well done Denis O Brien and Co.

But what about free speech?

ChikiChiki · 06-10-2017 10:52AM

Great move by NT. DOB is still an absolute arse though. He would have had input into this decisioning for sure.

JMNolan · 06-10-2017 11:07AM

Uosdwis R. Dewoh wrote: »

But what about free speech?

Do you understand what free speech is and/or how it is applied in this country?

pilly · 06-10-2017 11:08AM

ChikiChiki wrote:

Great move by NT. DOB is still an absolute arse though. He would have had input into this decisioning for sure.

Why a great move?

JMNolan · 06-10-2017 11:11AM

pilly wrote: »

Why a great move?

I guess its a great move because most of NT listeners agree with Hook. This will entice like minded people to listen to NT

pilly · 06-10-2017 11:14AM

JMNolan wrote: »

I guess its a great move because most of NT listeners agree with Hook. This will entice like minded people to listen to NT

Oh right, so they only want right wing listeners? Hmm, limiting their audience somewhat wouldn't you say?

JMNolan · 06-10-2017 11:16AM

pilly wrote: »

Oh right, so they only want right wing listeners? Hmm, limiting their audience somewhat wouldn't you say?

What's wrong with that approach? From a commercial perspective that is.

Hooks Golf Handicap · 06-10-2017 11:18AM

pilly wrote: »

Oh right, so they only want right wing listeners? Hmm, limiting their audience somewhat wouldn't you say?

Think of the age demo that listen to talk radio.
Think of the political views of the majority of that demo.

Rule No.1, know your audience.
Rule No.2, give your audience what they want.

Someone like Dil just stank that place up.

Newstalk bans Irish Times Journalists

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