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A LABOUR PARTY SENATOR has criticised members of the media for not showing more public solidarity to Today FM’s Sam Smyth, who is to be dropped by the station.
Senator John Whelan this morning criticised press commentators for their failure to publicly support Smyth since it was reported that his Sunday morning show was to be dropped from the station’s schedule.
“Press freedom and fair comment are a cornerstone and fundamental values of our democracy,” he said. “Fair comment in the public interest is a pillar of a real republic.”
It was reported in Sunday newspapers that Smyth was to be dropped from the station, which is owned by media and telecoms magnate Denis O’Brien – with the Sunday Times reporting that Smyth had protested that the move was related to his coverage of the Moriarty Tribunal.
That tribunal, which investigated the awarding of Ireland’s second mobile phone licence to O’Brien’s Esat Digifone, was prompted after reporting by Smyth published in the Irish Independent – which is also now majority owned by O’Brien.
George Hook of Newstalk – which is also owned by O’Brien’s Communicorp broadcasting empire – told listeners through Twitter that he did not think the matter was worthy of bringing up in an interview with Communications minister Pat Rabbitte.
“The minister cannot interfere in an employment situation,” Hook tweeted.
On Sunday morning, however, Newstalk’s Eamon Dunphy made a brief statement on his own show – which clashes with Smyth’s Today FM show - defending his Communicorp colleague.
“If there’s any link between that sacking and his work as a journalist for the Independent newspaper group… it is up to every citizen in this country to understand that press freedom is threatened,” he said.
“My personal opinion is that there is a link, that it is dangerous, and that this should not have happened.”
Dunphy also noted that Smyth was now in “a very bad position”, as he could not seek a move to the alternative commercial broadcaster – “because this is it, and it’s also owned by Denis O’Brien.”
Smyth himself declined to discuss the matter on his show, saying any on-air discussion about O’Brien needed the prior approval of the station management.
I have never watched an episode of love island.
I imagine I am a happier person for it.
@john doe: each to their own. That’s life
@john doe: Happier and more intelligent for not watching it.
@john doe: you should watch one. Jaw dropping stuff
@Bennett blaster: Yet, like myself, you probably watch absolute nonsense on YouTube. I can never laugh at what people are interested in on tv as I am no better. So if you watch and enjoy love island, don’t be ashamed. Its not like the rest of us are deep in the works of Joyce or Tolstoy.
I don’t get Love Island or this countries sad obsession with it
@Joecantdance: I hear what your saying….but…faye is out line talking to Teddy like that last night, he didn’t even do anything wrong in casa amor, and the way matt broke things off with kaz was just spectacular, I never liked kaz! I’m glad jake has been found out for being a snake tho!
@Martin Redington: LOL
@Martin Redington: Funniest comment I’ve read in a while
@Martin Redington: OMGOMGOMGONGOMG, she didn’t?
@Martin Redington: Are Jiberty finished? I always thought Jake was playing games just to get the money.
@Martin Redington: Ha ha ha ha Gas
I’ve never seen Love Island, the adverts are enough.
I’m guessing it’s more about materialistic Bimbos bonking each other rather than intellectual discussions on philosophy and Science?….
@David Grey: o believe the correct terms are bimbos and himbos
Just really shows the overall dumbing of society when both are compared to eachother like this.
Instead of kids aspiring to be Olympians and represent their country in a chosen discipline, they want to be a ditso “influencer” and be on a reality tv show ..
Intelligent people would not watch love Island tripe.
Tallafornia was the logical conclusion to the ‘send attractive muppets to a house’ concept, and was far more entertaining and somehow less manipulative.
@Paul Cunningham: are you implying the cast of Tallafornia were attractive?
Enjoying the Olympics when I can… What is this other muck you speak of?
Where’s the option for “ I would rather watch wall-to-wall news articles on the North”?
I think the poll says more about the person asking it than those answering.
I’ve never watched it, but I’m aware Love Island is an obsession for some. That’s fine, I don’t need to trash it just cause I don’t see the appeal. But it’s not THAT popular, which this poll clearly shows. That this even crossed someone’s mind just shows how presumptuous people can be that EVERYONE loves the thing they love.
Saw a bit of Love Island last night. Tuned in just as one of the women were shouting at and verbally abusing one of the men. If it were the other way around he would be accused of being an abusive mysogynist and pulled up on his behaviour. What a terrible roll model.
Olympics definitely
I watched the first three episodes of love island this year and decided that life is way too short to be wasting it watching rubbish like that
@Sally: So what’s the latest in Corrie then?
Comparing the olympics to love island for watchabilty is like comparing the world cup final to a sunday leage game for quality.
The results of this poll, as of 13:57 today, reassure my faith in Humanity (well, most of it)
None of the above.
Imagine admitting to watching Love Island, I would be mortified.
@Mary Conneely: your morto mary
Olympics easily cos I have never nor will I ever watch Love Island.
Love island pure trash.
@paul mccoy: up against the wall with them then hose the fake tan off the wall
Each to thier own but I’d either loaf a wall..
Rubbish programme some negative talk group
Olympics, without a doubt. Far more interesting.
Bus wa.. Ers
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