Prior to Question Time I was holding fort on the silliness of the Thatcher-like speak of the level playing field. That is not the type of criteria that should be applied to a discussion on broadcasting because we are talking here about values which go beyond the economic and crass commercialism that often pervades life in Ireland. Therefore, any arguments which seek to introduce elements such as that into this Bill would be a mistake.
There is a major distinction in the broadcasting area in that there are specific obligations on broadcasts on both radio and television to be fair and equitable in their treatment of news and current affairs whereas no such obligations apply to newspapers in that regard. The primary concerns of those involved in newspapers relate to obscenity and libel. Therefore, even at that level we are not comparing like with like. If one wants to use the level playing field approach in this area we should introduce legislation which would oblige newspapers to treat the public to a fair and balanced reportage of events in Ireland, in this House and around the world.