Vol. 205 No. 8
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the widespread public uneasiness regarding the growing political bias of Telefís Éireann, as exemplified by the banning of an interview with Mr. Con Lehane and the portrayal of an anti-Fine Gael and anti-Labour interview on 30th October last; and if he will have steps taken to ensure unbiased presentation of news and views.
18.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in view of the public disquiet regarding the independence of Telefís Éireann, he will ascertain in accordance with section 26 of the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960 (i) who decided to withdraw the recent edition of An Fear agus a Scéal, and (ii) at what time on the evening of the scheduled telecast it was decided not to show the programme, in view of the fact that at 6.30 the continuity announcer reminded viewers to watch An Fear agus a Scéal at 10.30 p.m. that evening.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
I am not aware of any public disquiet of the kind suggested in these questions and I do not, therefore, see the need for any special action on my part.
I naturally regard it as important that the injunctions of the Broadcasting Authority Act about the objectivity and impartiality of public affairs programmes should be strictly observed.In practice, however, it is sometimes difficult to do this in a fashion that will do justice to the event or subject being discussed and will at the same time satisfy everybody, particularly those who are closely involved. I know this only too well from the criticisms I receive from time to time from all Parties in the House including my own. This may well be a fair indication that Radio Éireann is endeavouring genuinely to meet its responsibilities. I think it is, and I can only encourage them to continue to ensure that programmes dealing with matters of public controversy are as well balanced as possible.
The decision not to broadcast the edition of An Fear agus a Scéal in which Mr. Con Lehane was interviewed was taken by Radio Éireann on its own initiative for reasons which were given in a statement issued by the Director-General. I do not feel that it would be proper for me to question the level or the time at which this particular decision was taken.
While accepting that fair play is not understood in the Fianna Fáil philosophy, would the Minister not have regard to the obligation: do unto others as he would wish others to do unto him, because a day will come when others will be in control of Government in this country and they may be tempted to adopt the mean type of biased presentation of news and views which he is standing over?
I have due regard to my own obligations under the Act. The Deputy has expressed his opinion in respect of one programme; there are other people who have a different opinion altogether about that programme.
There was only one opinion of Professor Williams.
Would the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs say if he was aware beforehand of the ill-mannered and biased comments which were presented to the country through Telefís Éireann on the night of an important vote here and if he considers that it was fair that only one aspect of a political question should be put to the country on that occasion?
This was a live programme which was broadcast by Telefís Éireann. I am not consulted in advance in relation to programmes.
While it may be generally accepted that the Minister had no part in the appearance of this programme, has he satisfied himself that his colleague, the Minister for Social Welfare, had nothing to do with it?
The implication in the Deputy's question is just disgraceful.
The Minister has the authority and he is responsible to this House. My question was put down for one purpose only and that was to secure the freedom and independence of Telefís Éireann and Radio Éireann.
Is that a question?
I am asking the Minister will he see that the independence of Telefís Éireann is preserved?
That is what I am doing at the moment.
As long as it is independent of everybody except Fianna Fáil.
If the Minister states that the programme is a matter for Telefís Éireann and not one for him, then I take it he is not aware of the smear that was used in the broadcast of 30th October and, therefore, he should take immediate steps to acquaint himself with the language used there. A partisan, ignorant and brusque interview was given lambasting one political Party and allowing nobody else to be present to defend that Party. Does the Minister, in all seriousness, think that is a fair way of presenting news, to present the screen to a partisan supporter——
He is not a supporter.
——while the other Parties are denied the right to be represented by anybody to challenge the views so expressed by that person?
I have received many criticisms of programmes on Telefís Éireann from very many people throughout the country who criticised programmes with this point of view, that the programmes were loaded and heavily loaded against the Fianna Fáil Party and against this Government.
Is there any truth in the statement that the programme of 30th October was, in fact, a commercial for Irish whiskey?
That comment is beneath contempt.
Will the Minister take occasion to have this programme shown to him with a view to determining whether it is not properly described as disgraceful and partisan?
There are many people who think that programme was very factual.
Is the Minister aware that the programme was presented in order to lambast Deputy Corish, the Leader of the Labour Party?
Is the Minister not aware that he is creating a very dangerous precedent by allowing Telefís Éireann and Radio Éireann to be used as a propaganda device for the Government Party in permitting insults to be hurled at members of the Opposition and particularly the Leaders of the Opposition Parties? Will the Minister give the House an assurance that gutter-snipe tactics of the Williams type will not be again permitted by Telefís Éireann? Does he not agree that he is dragging Telefís Éireann into disrepute——
This is a speech.
——and that he has outraged the minds of all fairminded people by that kind of political bias?
I am quite satisfied that the people conducting the affairs of Telefís Éireann and Radio Éireann are quite competent to do so.
Ignorant professors should not be allowed on TV.
Two can play at that game. If you are picking a speaker try to pick somebody other than a political hack like Williams and give somebody a chance of putting an opposing point of view.
What he said was straight from the shoulder.
Straight from the elbow.
It was insidious propaganda delivered by a vindictive party hack who was put there for the purpose of insulting the Leader of the Labour Party.
