Very well said Barry

1.25%

RTE make a substantial payout to a bunch of alleged homophobes for being called out and then set about thinking that it’s in the public interest that whenever there is a gay person on TV that they also have a member of the No Equality side to be present regardless of whether they are bringing up pointless topics unrelated to the Referendum.

I think RTE need to review who they get their advice off.

@ Peter

Fully agree – they are being ridiculously cautious.

I can’t see that there could possibly be an issue reporting verbatim quotes in good faith.

This has damaged people’s trust in many institutions, no doubt about that. They’re not exactly portraying themselves as fearless defenders of democracy.

You are being contradictory Barry

You’re wrong Barry. And what’s worse is that your specious articulate reasoning is exactly what has this country banjaxed.

The Irish Times and RTE (never mind all the other media operators out of the loop due to ownership considerations) are not withholding on the basis of legal principle, but rather have been intimidated by the Deepness Of Billionaire’s pockets, legal artillery and the threat of bankruptcy.
(everyone knows civil cases can drag on for years and even the victors can end up massively out of pocket, ref Beverly Cooper Flynn and the money she never paid to RTE).

Parliamentary Privilege is a cornerstone of democracy and every minute (never mind days) that it is muffled and suppressed by very special interests is another nail in the coffin of a functioning democracy.

Delay delay avoid avoid = corruption

Just ask all those once-upon-a-time kids abused by church and state authorities how delays in justice worked out for them….same principle here: vested interests, collusion of silence, nicely swept under the carpet.

Your a gas man Joe, making up mad stuff like €500 euro notes.

You’re.. I hung my head in shame their.

@ Michael

I don’t agree. I think the comments should be reported – but more qualified (and certainly more risk averse) experts think there is a risk. So I can understand, even if I disagree with them, why the Journal has taken this decision. I doubt the Journal has deep pockets.

Many, many people have let them know what they think of the decision. But if they are that unhappy they can leave. Spamming the site denies everyone the opportunity to read, review and make their own minds up.

@ eire366

Absolutely correct that Parliamentary Privilege is a cornerstone of democracy. But I disagree that my reasoning is specious. Also I disagree that RTE/IT/Journal/virtually all media motivation isn’t a legal principle.

The main point I’m trying to make is that if the spamming stops we can at least have this argument.

To take up your point – I think you are missing the wood for the trees. I think it is a legal principle, but one with consequences.

If they get this wrong, they could suffer severe financial penalties. So yes, there is “intimidation” but it arises from the consequences of a legal misstep.

Every other media outlet is DYING to undermine DOB. They will be praying for the opportunity to take a swing. On on Tuesday/Wednesday, I firmly believe they’ll be cleared to do so.

But I do think that people SHOULD feel “intimidated” by potentially breaking court orders. Otherwise what is the point of them?

The law exists to protect everyone, not just the rich. And if the HC decides that the media cannot report on comments made in good faith by a TD, then I have no doubt that the street protest will dwarf the Water Charges protest.

I would definitely, definitely march against this. But we have due process for a reason. Tuesday is not too long to wait.

Fair play Barry. The only comment worth reading on this site in the last three days.

But don’t expect the children to understand. They had the same thing in Britain six years ago. It got sorted in favour of the press. This will too.

Ron €500 notes exist, you probably don’t come by many of them on the dole.

Barry, the rte court order and CMs speech are only related by the players involved, a court cannot silence a parliament.
Those that have given in to vague threats have given up their freedom easily, that seems to cover most of the Irish press.
They were protected by the constitution and they’ve pissed all over it.

@Alan

Thanks – having comments is what makes this site for many. Appreciate that.

@ littlejim

Correct. And that is why CM is, and was, free to say what she said in parliament.

As many have quite rightly said, if this cannot be reported, the effect is that she has effectively been silenced. That would be in my view, anti-democratic and abhorrent.

But the matter is not without doubt – hence the approach by RTE/IT to the High Court.

In the meantime, the main point I’m trying to make re spamming the comments is that two wrongs don’t make a right.

It is effectively a “Denial Of Service” attack on the people who visit here to get many different perspectives on many issues. And spamming the comments on every article denies people the opportunity to do so. It stifles debate and has same “chilling” effect as an injunction.

Of course the two aren’t equivalent.

Of course the HC ruling on DOB is absolutely paramount to our right to free speech.

But we all know this – in the meantime can the spamming stop?

@Coco..he’s a Malteser..fat round and brown don’t ya know.

If the Journal isn’t allowed to report on things and want to play it safe, they need to make some sort of statement just saying they’re being cautious till the court case, and I think most of us would be grand. What I don’t like is the way they’re deleting comments, refusing to report the story properly and just acting as though nothing is happening. Make a statement, acknowledge it, and I’ll move on.

@ Mrs Shalakalananaka

Agree – a statement to this effect would help.

I hope one is forthcoming.

*DOB

Just Tony