Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2005
354 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will consider introducing regulations in conjunction with other Departments regarding an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6845/05]
View answerThe radio blackout to which the Deputy refers is that which RTE, with the other radio stations licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, implements immediately before general elections and referenda. This moratorium is a consequence of a voluntary agreement, and it is used as a mechanism to ensure that fairness and balance are achieved by the broadcast media during the final 24 hours before polling commences and while polling is under way. It allows voters a period for reflection in the final stages of the campaign.
Written examinations in the leaving certificate cover a period of 13 days and span almost three weeks. It would be difficult to enforce a moratorium for that period.
I believe that there is an ongoing responsibility on radio stations and other media such as newspapers to ensure that analyses presented are well researched, advice given sound, commentaries balanced and helplines very carefully managed.
