asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether a song was banned recently from Radio Éireann on the ground that it was too pro-British; if so, under what authority a ban of this sort is placed; and whether it is in accordance with Government policy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Banning of Song on Radio Éireann.
25.
I have received a report from the Director of Boardcasting in this matter.
Radio Éireann declined to permit the use of a particular song in a recent sponsored programme. The song which refers to a naval action in the last War in which a large number of lives were lost was not considered a proper subject for inclusion in the programme. Its inclusion might reasonably give offence to relatives of persons who lost their lives on both sides. The exclusion of the song appears to have been justified but it is regrettable that in stating the reasons for excluding it, an officer of the Station should have used the phrase "pro-British". The phrase was unfortunate and did not convey the real reason for the action taken. I might add, however, that the officer was under pressure at the time to settle the programme shortly before it was due to be broadcast.
Surely it was the officer's whole idea? They played the Horst Wessel, the Hitler song.