John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was a journalist for 30 years before becoming directly involved in politics. There is mounting concern and anxiety throughout media and journalistic circles about the consolidation and virtual monopoly that is developing in the Irish media. Almost every leading title and radio station in the country is now in the ownership of one company and is effectively under the control of one man. This would set alarm bells ringing anywhere and certainly in the corridors of power. We must have free speech, fair comment in the public interest and robust debate to protect the interests of the public and democracy. It is equally alarming that the person who owns these newspaper titles has recently issued a charter to journalists to which they must conform. It effectively amounts to censorship. If one does not have one's copy vetted by the managing director, it cannot be published. I have always said that it is not what is printed that concerns me, but what is not getting into print.

The Government has been in office for two years. It committed itself to introducing robust legislation to ensure diversity and choice in the media, but this has not happened to date. The legislation falls within the remit of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte. Will the Leader establish what is happening with that legislation and why there is a delay? The words "Pravda" and "propaganda" spring to mind. It is thought by many journalists that perhaps some people in the Government are of the view that this is okay because it is our man in Havana or our man in Haiti who is in control. However, I do not share that view, nor does anybody who is interested in democratic access to choice, freedom of expression and fair debate. If we do not soon pass this legislation, it will be pointless. It will not be a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, because the horse will have been to Cheltenham and back and will be out to pasture. The legislation will have no purpose. We must ensure that there is fair choice, freedom of speech and freedom of comment in the public interest. There must be multiple ownership in the media. What is happening in the Irish media at present is a de facto monopoly which is dangerous for politics and democracy, and bad for journalism.