Seanad debates
Wednesday, 10 December 2003
Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements.
It was wholly wrong that Deputy Ciarán Cuffe, who moved his share portfolio from oil shares to other shares and bought into a company that manufactures condoms, should see a newspaper headline which read, "TD linked to porn site". I agree with the Members on both sides who pointed out that headlines frequently bear no relationship to the reality. One of the most unfair aspects of journalism is that perfectly sensible stories are given wholly unfair and damaging headlines in order to attract readership, particularly, as Senator Ó Murchú mentioned, when the headline is placed on the front page in order to persuade people to lift up the newspaper. If there is any degree of integrity in a newspaper, its headlines should fairly reflect what is to be read in a story.
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