Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Reporters Without Borders highlighted today that the high concentration of media ownership is the biggest threat to press freedom in Ireland. At the same time, we read of threats that Rupert Murdoch or the Barclay brothers could end up owning Independent News and Media, a development that would be greeted with dismay by anyone with an interest in Irish democracy or fair and balanced public debate. The only career move in Irish journalism seems to be to become a press secretary for a Minister. There is nobody in the Press Gallery today. They are all over in the ministerial corridor in Government Buildings. Does the Government intend doing anything to take the recommendations of the joint Oireachtas committee on the funding of Irish media or is it content to let Irish journalism wither on the vine and pay the huge price with regard to our very democratic system if this ongoing decline in Irish media is allowed to continue?

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