Letters to the Editor: Now more than ever we must protect fair and objective journalism
A Palestinian child amid the rubble of buildings in Gaza City destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, ahead of the ceasefire that commenced yesterday, Sunday. Picture: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters
The 's war coverage — including 'US says Gaza ceasefire to start as planned despite 'loose end'', January 16 — has consistently been even-handed.
Declassified and Drop Site have revealed failings in BBC objectivity, and much of legacy media, including RTÉ, is not far behind.
Also, on January 16, armed security guards physically hauled veteran journalist Sam Husseini out of US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s press conference for demanding to know why Blinken is not in The Hague answering for his war crimes.
The International Centre for Journalists sets standards for acceptable reporting, which primarily should involve providing inclusive and trustworthy information to the public — often in cross-border collaboration — to equip them to participate in the democratic process, with bold independence and accountability as non-negotiable.
Abubaker Abed, 22, addressed Western media from Gaza about dire conditions and ceaseless danger. Some 166 of his fellow journalists became war casualties in the past 15 months. In any kind of civil society, even during conflict, this price is too high for those dedicated to researching and sharing the truth.
The director general of Unesco, Audrey Azoulay, said: “Journalists are essential in preserving the fundamental right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When journalists are attacked with impunity, there is a breakdown in security and judicial systems for all”.
International human rights lawyer Craig Mokhiber, who in 2023 resigned his senior UN position in protest at the slack response to the unfolding massacres, identified the role of complicit Western media corporations as the essential third pillar enabling genocidal horrors.
He said broadcasters and publishers have knowingly disseminated Israeli disinformation and propaganda, justified war crimes and crimes against humanity, dehumanised Palestinians, and blacked out information.
Mokhiber cites several historical precedents of such actions being prosecuted under international human rights law.
A 2019 Harvard study on “shooting the messenger” found widespread scapegoating and cognitive immaturity in reactions to bearers of bad news.
One victim of such misplaced blame was Jesus Christ.
In his beautiful poem ‘If’, Rudyard Kipling wrote: ‘If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two imposters just the same You’ll be a man, my son’.
Such a man is Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who won a Dáil seat in the recent general election. I’ve never met Mr Moran, but I’m singularly impressed by his magnanimity and work ethic despite losing his Dáil seat in 2020. As minister of state with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and flood relief in the 2016/2020 Dáil, Mr Moran worked tirelessly to bring flood alleviation to people, who reside close to the Shannon.
His determination and tenacity increased my confidence in his plan to contain the Shannon between its natural banks. If he hadn’t lost his seat in 2020, I think Mr Moran would have succeeded in solving the flooding.
He could have thrown in the towel in 2020 and left his constituents to sink or swim, but he didn’t. He continued to fight the good fight. There was no ill-feeling, no recrimination, no plague on all of their houses.
He rolled up his sleeves and continued to work day and night on flood alleviation. It was a manifest example of true patriotism.
I, for one, would like the incoming Taoiseach to reappoint Mr Moran as minister of state for the Office of Public Works and flood relief. As a lover of the river and an admirer of his fighting spirit, I feel that Mr Moran deserves a rematch with his nemesis, the mighty Shannon.
Colin Sheridan was entirely correct in his recent column when he criticised noises from unnamed government sources that propose a watering down or further delay of the Occupied Territories Bill (Irish Examiner, January 16).
The Government parties were very clear prior to the general election that the Occupied Territories Bill would be enacted, but now we hear suggestions that perhaps this would be unwise because it might upset the incoming Donald Trump administration.
It has even been solemnly predicted by some pundits that no serious progress on the bill will occur before St Patrick’s Day in case this triggers the cancellation of the annual audience and shenanigans with the US president. Is the Irish Government really that cowardly?
Ultimately, the primary objection appears to be that US investment could be lost and it is worrying that the decision regarding this important human rights measure might be made, as Colin Sheridan observes, “purely on the theory of capitalist economics”.
However, opinion polls have repeatedly shown huge support in this country for the enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill. The Government will not be forgiven if it reneges on such an important pre-election pledge.
The decision to move the Ukrainian refugees from Redbarn in the middle of the school year is nonsensical and ruthless. Please, at least allow the children to complete their school year in Youghal or wherever they are attending school. Surely the children have suffered enough from the war besides inflicting stress and more fear on them in Ireland. Whoever made this decision hasn’t got an ounce of humanity in them. Shame on the Government.
It is, quite simply, repugnant to Ireland’s strong social justice standards, to stand by whilst Ukrainian refugees are forced to leave their new found homes due to arbitrary and capricious deadlines set by Government. Adding insult to injury?
Informing these vulnerable people that they must surrender or abandon their cherished pet cats and dogs is, simply put, inhumane.
I found it alarming to learn from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) that on Monday last , there were 138 people on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). These are people who doctors deemed sick enough to be admitted for treatment. It seems that the HSE report a different number, in that they say there were 88 people on trolleys and an additional 63 patients in beds in parts of the hospital, which are normally used for other purposes.
I find it utterly appalling that we have the same problem year after year at UHL, as we continually hear of the intolerable conditions at this hospital. Apparently the feedback from patients and from their relatives is that they are afraid to go to visit their loved ones in this hospital. It’s also been reported that there are people staying at home who should be in hospital.
It’s a worry that so many people feel that the environment at UHL is unsafe, hazardous, and dangerous.
One must not forget that during the inquest last year into the death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnson, we learned that she wasn’t seen for 12 hours and that it was another 15 hours before she was administered antibiotics, which might have saved her life from meningitis and sepsis.
Sadly, it appears that UHL is still as unsafe now as it was then. This is a clarion call to the new government and minster for health to prioritise the fixing of this awful imbroglio. Not to do so falls under the rubric of state dereliction.
On January 24, we celebrate the International Day of Education, recognising its vital role in promoting peace and development.
As a Muslim woman living in Ireland and a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I want to highlight that Islam strongly supports education for both men and women.
The first revelation of the Qur’an begins with the command: “Recite in the name of thy Lord Who created everything” (96:2), emphasising the importance of knowledge.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim, male and female.”
In Islam, education is not just encouraged; it is a fundamental duty.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community embodies these teachings by promoting education worldwide.
Our caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, emphasises that educating women is essential for progress. He noted: “If women are educated… future generations will also be raised upon the right path.”
This highlights how empowering women through education benefits entire communities. As we celebrate this day, let’s remember that education is a powerful tool for equality and empowerment. By embracing these values, we can create a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.
