Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
The Daily PollTHE VOTES HAVE been counted and the results are in for last week’s two referendums.
There are plenty of talking points around the two results themselves, but another related discussion that’s gaining traction is whether the so-called broadcast moratorium is still fit for purpose.
Guidelines issued by Comisiún na Meán ahead of elections and referendums state that broadcast coverage of votes cannot take place from 2pm the day before polls open until voting closes at 10pm.
The ban only applies to TV and radio stations; newspapers and online news publications are free to cover the votes as they like, while anyone is allowed to say anything about the referendums on social media too.
The intention of the moratorium, which has been in place for decades, is to allow people the space to think about what they’re voting on without having to deal with new arguments or developments at the 11th hour.
But in the age of online news, the disparity between what broadcasters are allowed to cover and what can be reported by online outlets and on social media has led to questions about whether the moratorium is still fit for purpose.
Today we’re asking: Should the broadcast moratorium for elections and referendums be scrapped?
Citizens are entitled to any material facts which pertain to decision making relating to the questions posed in a referendum, therefore it makes no sense to have a moratorium on available facts/knowledge or information which may influence the outcome, in fact it should be mandatory to disclose any information relating to the referendum. Full disclosure.
@Eileen Kelly: So this is the excuse angle that the Government have decided to go down after the embarrassing way they were defeated by these preposterous referendums, despite having months and months and months to review and ensure the wording was correct and that the people were fully informed of the implications of a yes/no vote they still made another fine mess and look incredibly naive as a result, they just can’t get anything done right it’s like FFG just sit there all day playing on their phones while the country burns around them. My decision to vote no was made ages ago because of the ‘trust’ issues I have with FFG based on the evidence of everything they have ballsed up since they took power in 2020.
@Eileen Kelly: What if misinformation was spread by a supposed reliable source in the 24 hours prior to a vote and subsequently disproved? Trust is a huge issue in Irish politics and people have used up all their trust in Fine Gael/ Fianna Fail only to be let down by Tom Foolery & blind arrogance .
@Frank Cauldhame: Obviously, the intention behind a moratorium on publication of information about the issues being voted on, was to allow voters to reflect on factual information for both sides of the argument and make their own considered decision based on their personal beliefs and values.
However in practice, it has been used to bombard voters with goverment propaganda right up to the moratorium, to hoodwink them into voting for the preferred outcome of the powers that be.
There is only factual information and false information, but the term misinformation has been used to silence anything that contradicts government or corporate propaganda, the intention isn’t to let people decide for themselves, it’s to herd them towards the desired outcome through any means.
@Mr Inbetween: 100% agree,and it was a blessing that this referendum did happen,come election,we know who’s under the EU thumb,The NGO need to go,the Women’s Council bullied Irish women to vote yes,apart from Antou and independence,they all showed their true colours,I’ve always voted SF,never again,the state of Mary Lou after the results,she looked shocked,I saw a clip on U tube,she was been asked about the results,and tried to change the subject about up the North,and the people standing around,told her were not here because of that,answer the question about the referendum and she couldn’t,if we want to keep the bit of Ireland that we have left,everyone in power and opposition need to go,it was a big F U to the EU aswell..
@Eileen Kelly: Yea! If only the Govt had another 24 hours, then they could have explained exactly what a “durable relationship” was. We never gave them a chance to explain properly
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/charlie-mcconalogue-broke-strict-rules-by-using-public-funds-to-push-for-referendum-yes-vote/a574412505.html
The McKenna judgement made it unconstitutional for the Government to spend taxpayers’ money promoting only one side in the campaigns. I wonder if all the parties will now have to refund the costs as there was definitely no balance in promoting the referendum, it was entirely a push for YesYes. The legal advice from the Attorney General tells ministers and civil servants that the Government “is not entitled to spend public money for the purpose of promoting a campaign for a particular outcome”.
@Eileen Kelly: I sincerely hope they are taken to task for that. The sheer arrogance of FFG is astounding.
@Eileen Kelly: it’s only 20 million of our money. A fraction of the TDs expenses annually.
@did you every wonder:
TDs annual expenses amount to around €8 Million per year.
@Frank Cauldhame: I agree Frank, same as your beloved SF.
@Frank Cauldhame: I think you’d better hope for something else. Not a chance of anyone in govt. being brought to task for anything. That’s is how we’re are in the situation we now find ourselves in.
Did anyone else notice the lack of Exit polls ???
It obviously became clear that the people were going to vote incorrectly, so our unbiased media decided not to report.
All main stream media in this country are in the pockets of government and will spin what they want,no impartiality at all.
The is a greater need for putting the advice of the Attorney General on matters that affect the lives of the citizens into the public domain. We fund the office of the AG and are entitled to be as well informed as the Government on the AGs advice regarding matters that affect our lives.
A little more ‘glasnost’ in the governance of our country is badly needed.
Last minute exclusive media scoops could influence voters decisions without any verification of their truthfulness.
Of course it should. It makes no sense. But the broadcasters should move away from opinion and contextualisation and more towards factual reporting about content.
They’re fooling noone anymore. The stench of spin is all pervasive.
I would like the government to produce all the documents that were promised after the referendum concerning the definitions on all the wording. Plus as a biological women I want them to produce a legal definition of “WOMAN”
Election day will become filled with propaganda.
Lots of voters are not well informed. Well placed on the day bs can change votes.
Didn’t stop leo leek on Instagram on Friday
@Ciaran Goggins:A leek is a vegetable
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: He must have been talking about Eamon the cabbage
The lack of exit polls and the u-turn by the media on Saturday from being yes vote cheerleaders to supposedly independent in this referendum was funny to watch. The media, government/other parties, NGO’s/virtue signallers can spin it anyway they like and then try and pretend after its not that bad…..but Saturday really showed when you ignore, upset, tax/charge/ talk down to or just gaslight the voters of this country, they have a way of kicking back hard
What’s NGO made this suggestion?
Not after what rte did to get higgins elected. Jounalists and editors are too powerful.
It’s not just about the referendum,The Politicians working hand in glove with the media,have been covering up so much of what is actually going on in this Country,The real start was Covid,for the Politicians to say that certain news should not be out in the public,because us as people basically don’t need to know,if it wasn’t for Twitter and U tube,I honestly wouldn’t have a clue what’s going on around not just my County but the others,this referendum was a blessing for the people,we got to see who’s actually wanting the best for us,and we know come election time,who were not to vote for,Apart from Aontu and independence,we have so much lost already of our Country,next election we need to send a message to the EU,every politician in power or opposition,we want our Country to stay Irish.
Vibes of communism off this ban
I don’t live in Dublin,but why did 1 part completely vote yes,is it a wealthy place or are the people there not having any problems,for a whole place to vote yes,they must be very happy with all the politicians.its shown me,I will not be voting for any of them parties in the election,and the opposition aswell,SF has truly showing who they are,the state of Mary Lou,she’s so blinded by her own arrogance,and with Michelle O Neill in power,she thought that she was touchable,and her voters would stick by her,coz of a united Ireland,I’ve voted SF all my life never again will I,and as a United Ireland,true Irish people realise,Our Ireland is gone,and it’s not on people’s mind,trying to live day to day is what keeps us worrying about,Her not winning the next election will be an FU from the voters
*What
Their broadcaster won’t be in existence.
have your say