viewpoint Séamus Dooley argues that Ireland needs a media commission


Politicians afraid of O’Brien’s shadow


T


he Irish Congress of Trade Unions has backed the NUJ’s demand for a Commission on the


future of the media in Ireland. As Irish Secretary I was pleased that we managed to secure unanimous support at the recent ICTU biennial delegate conference. This follows publication of


government guidelines on media mergers. These guidelines fail to address the growing concern at the dominant position of billionaire media tycoon Denis O’Brien. In any debate on media ownership in Ireland it’s hard to avoid O’Brien. Having failed to tackle the issue of media monopolies during the reign of Tony O’Reilly, Irish politicians seem too afraid to face down O’Brien. He is combative, litigious and ruthless in pursuit of his commercial interests, and Irish politicians have refused to address issues arising from his dominant role in the media. That’s why the NUJ is seeking a


Commission which would provide a platform for examining all aspects of the media landscape in Ireland, including media ownership and control across all sectors. The independent commission would also look at employment standards, access to employment, in-service training, the protection of minority media, the development of greater gender and ethnic diversity and the protection of media freedom. O’Brien, casts a long shadow. His


Communicorp Group holds the largest share in the dominant media group in Ireland, Independent News and Media and has a firm grip on a number of national commercial radio stations.


In 2007, as he was preparing his successful bid to gain control of INM, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland approved O’Brien’s acquisition of Today FM and a number of stations The BAI concluded that O’Brien did not control INM and allowed his radio acquisition to proceed. In 2008 O’Brien’s stake in INM surpassed 25 per cent, thus allowing him to block special resolutions from the INM board. He still insists he does not control INM, but through board appointments and the implementation of his policies and commercial strategies O’Brien has a chilling effect on the Irish media landscape.


Nonetheless, all this represents an abject failure to tackle powerful media interests by a political class terrified by the power wielded by O’Brien.


It took the


former leader of the Progressive


“ 8 For all the latest news from the NUJ go to www.nuj.org.uk ” theJournalist | 9


Democrats Michael McDowell SC, no leftwing


In 2008 O’Brien’s stake in INM surpassed 25 per cent thus allowing him to block special resolutions from the INM board


fundamentalist, to point out


that, contrary to Communications


minister Alex White’s claims, there is no legal barrier to retrospective measures to protect the public interest. A government


commitment to tackle the issue of media ownership was made at an NUJ conference in 2011 by the predecessor of Alex White, himself a former trade union activist and RTÉ producer.


In fairness the new


guidelines attempt to introduce a balance on policy media ownership in Ireland. But positive language without strong


legislative measures will not break the stranglehold which a few individuals and companies have on media ownership and control in Ireland. We need Irish politicians to realise


that media ownership and control is an issue of fundamental importance to democracy.


Séamus Dooley is NUJ Irish Secretary. @seamusdo

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