Minister’s attempt to interfere in media crosses a dangerous line
Minister’s attempt to interfere in media crosses a dangerous line - The Labour Party
- O’Donovan must retract call and clarify position
Labour’s Conor Sheehan TD has today said the Tánaiste was right to confirm that there will be no investigation into RTÉ’s coverage of protests last week, but warned that serious questions remain about the conduct and judgment of the Media Minister, Patrick O’Donovan.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“The Tánaiste is right to correct his Minister. There should be no investigation into RTÉ’s coverage of protests, and that position must now be made absolutely clear by Government. But the fact that this needed to be said at all speaks volumes. The Media Minister comments were outrageous and should send alarm bells ringing.
“It is deeply concerning that a Government minister would openly call for an investigation into how a public service broadcaster reported on protests. That is not the role of a minister in a democratic society and it crosses a very clear line. It speaks to a worrying instinct towards control and interference that has no place in a modern democracy.
“It is frankly wild that a Media Minister would even consider intervening in this way. He is not a bystander commenting from the sidelines. He holds responsibility for the sector and with that comes a duty to respect the independence of our media. Instead, what we saw was a deeply inappropriate attempt to exert pressure on a broadcaster for doing its job. When you add this to the Minister’s recent rhetoric, it raises serious questions about his judgment and his respect for democratic norms.
“In addition, the Minister has also taken aim at local media in Limerick. His attack on Live95 is completely unacceptable. Live95 plays an important role in keeping people in Limerick informed. It is trusted, valued, and it is firm and fair with all of us in public life. If the Minister wanted to go on local radio last week and defend the Government, he would have been facilitated. Instead, he appears to have spent the week picking fights, including with the operator of Foynes Port.
“RTÉ is a public service broadcaster, not a State broadcaster. That distinction matters. It exists to serve the public interest, not the interests of Government. Its independence is protected through regulation, and that regulation is carried out at arm’s length by Coimisiún na Meán. Any attempt by a minister to direct or influence that process undermines public trust and damages the credibility of our institutions.
“Minister O’Donovan must now clearly retract his call for an investigation, respect the independence of Coimisiún na Meán, and make clear that he will not interfere in the work of RTÉ or any other media organisation.”