RTE SUPPORT THE WAR & MURDER

by Kevin Donegan Wed Jan 15, 2003 00:56 kevindonegan at yahoo dot com

I used to work as a radio producer for a National Public Radio station in the US. It was not uncommon for certain guests (usually quite high-ranking public officials) to refuse to go on live against another guest or to take audience questions and so on. From time to time we still put them on if they seemed really crucial to the story, even though it made for a less engaging/entertaining show.

It's more than possible that Cowan refused to go live against Hourigan becuase that would be just too unpredictable for the govt. on this issue, and likely that RTE agreed to those conditions. Whereas he would know that a FG TD wouldn't be as likely to ask the really hard questions.

Kevin Donegan

by Terry Tue Jan 14, 2003 19:40

Well whatever the answer Tim should only accept a live debate for reasons
I gave above.

Is the fact RTE are saying they can't do a live debate due to technical reasons
not an indication that this is a position they have backed down from?

by Justin Moran - Sinn Fein Tue Jan 14, 2003 19:35 maigh_nuad at yahoo dot com

I just want to get something straight here. Was Tim told, personally, by RTE that he would be going head to head in a debate with Cowen and then sometime this afternoon RTE fucked him over?

Or did RTE tell him they wanted him on Prime Time, that Cowen would be on and some-one drew a conclusion out of that?

Merely curious here as to who said what to who

by Des Tue Jan 14, 2003 19:17

I agree with the comment that Tim should refuse to participate if his contribution is recorded. If RTE won't let him go "live", then we should raise the roof, to the maximum extent possible.
Our "free media" is not as free as some people seem to think.

by Chuck Tue Jan 14, 2003 19:14

Just spoke to a weary sounding Michael Heney of Prime Time. The anguish in his voice was evident at another call about why there is no live debate and allegations of conspiracy. He stated that there would be no debate because "..that's the way things are; the people at Shannon won't be disappointed..".

I'm afraid the anti-war movement is already disappointed by an RTE who'll only go half way and a minister shitting his cacks of an upstart from Limerick.

When I asked who was going to respond to Biffo Cowen, he said Gay Mitchell from Fine Gael would be. You can get off the ground now and wipe the tears from yer eyes (as I nearly had to do).

by proverb lover grewat discussion forum at Tue Jan 14, 2003 19:10

Is iad na muca ciúine a itheann an mhin.

It is the quiet pigs that eat the meal.

by Terry Tue Jan 14, 2003 19:02

Tim should refuse to do a pre-recording because if Cowen is on after,
they will have a hour for their team of 30 or 40 to twist and distort
the facts and Tim will not be in a position to correct them.

Last speaker always has the advantage. And RTE are giving this to Cowen

The debate should be live.

By refusing the pre-recording, with a released statement as to why, this
will make it even more embarrsing for the government.

by limerick1919 Tue Jan 14, 2003 18:50 limerick1919 at hotmail dot com

If this is pulled someone should tip off national print media. If it isn't then they should also be made aware that RTE have stopped the debate or did Gov spin doctors?

by Ray Tue Jan 14, 2003 18:16

Strange shennanigans at RTE in connection with Cowen VS Hourigan Row scheduled for tonight
by Blisset Tue, Jan 14 2003, 5:07pm
At this link : http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=23923 Excerpt from Iosaf's Contributions "This is what I meant about two hours ago in my comment that Tim will be played with. TV people do this. TV is a psychological weapon for all invovled even those who speak for us must pass through much. I would rather go talk to Garda Whiteacre and pals in the Phoenix Park and play their silly mind games then go near RTE. TV is toxic."

related link: www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=23923

by Bystander Tue Jan 14, 2003 18:02

Called twice - both times told "we'll get back to you".

by Justin Moran - Sinn Fein Tue Jan 14, 2003 18:00 maigh_nuad at yahoo dot com

I've called three times now and been ducked or told they'll get back to me as the person handling this is out of the office or on another line.

by C. Tue Jan 14, 2003 17:34

RTE will not pull the Shannon story. They may censor Tim's piece - but this will be self defeating.

Anybody who makes the phone calls could they keep us informed here on what the response is: getting some strange statements from RTE at the moment. Apparently only 'politicians' are allowed on Prime Time.

by Joe Sheehan Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:57

The latest is that Prime Time are threatening to pull the slot if the calls persist.

by iosaf jedi of mass psychological experience Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:52

which means all the people getting excited about this right now.
That is called psy-op.
TV is toxic.
there is a very old saying that when one sups with the devil use a long spoon.
The thoughts today will excite a lot of comment and emails to RTE and others.
That is a lot of quickly fired venom.
And it will be a permanent record.
Tim is tired. should be sleeping. This is a tactic to mess him up too. If anyonew is willing to accept my advice, make sure Shannon is watched carefully in the next 24hours.
Think like your enemy.
TV is toxic!

by Daithi O Conaill Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:40

Looks like someone's nobbled Prime Time again. I don't agree that it's because RTE is a state company that this has happened - TV3, a private company is as bad. It's the attitude of certain people in RTE management that anything left of Pat Rabbitte's tie is dangerous and while Pleasant Pat gets ample airtime anyone genuinely leftwing is airbrushed.

by renegade FF - anti-biffo-spindoktor Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:39

[email protected]

by iosaf Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:37

if he goes into make-up etc., at 20h30 then that´s only one hour till Cowen.
On reflection it might be a good thing.
It marginalises Shannon to a local studio.
Gives the impression that this is a rural issue.
However viewers are used to this tactic, and have shown in many research projects to give more sympathy to interviewees in local studios.
This is what I meant about two hours ago in my comment that Tim will be played with. TV people do this. TV is a psychological weapon for all invovled even those who speak for us must pass through much. I would rather go talk to Garda Whiteacre and pals in the Phoenix Park and play their silly mind games then go near RTE.
TV is toxic.
We have had commercial satelite access in Europe since 1989. Only last year did the anti-capitalist and anti-war community get uncensored access to sattelite facilites. [Sherwood you might recall got a channel on Hotbird6 for the ESF/Hub].
Way down the list after porn, porn, porn, porn, sport sport sport, and porn oh and God. God gets more time than sport but less than porn.
Tim should still be sleeping by the way.
And new posts maybe should go as comments on previous. He will naturally want to read our words before hand, this is another pre-game tactic by those silly careerist media types.
If You phone RTEs offices be nice to the switchboard, all staff Tim will meet later shall be effected by this "ripple feedback".
Remember "lovely does it".

by Raymond McInerney Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:35

Tim should stay focus and outline all the facts. The other two (Cowen and Mitchell) may try to discredit some of Tim's comments but at least hopefully RTE will still air them in their entirety.

Best of Luck, Tim.

by katherine harford - shannon peace camp Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:19

RTE a state owned company are obviously in cohoots with the government on the issue of Shannon Warport. i was one of the contributors from the shannon peace camp at the late late show on friday night, the blatent way in which the whole debate was set up, proved to me then that RTE were protecting the powers that be. the late late show and prime time in my view loose their credibility as topical programms. for prime time to do this so blatenly is very sad for main stream media coverage today.

by blisset Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:09

They could bring him to donnybrook - for gawds sake it is only 3.20pm and programme is 9.30

by Bystander Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:08

Inundate Prime Time with phone calls asking them to explain their decision. It mightn't make them change their mind but it could signal to them that they way out of step with the anti-war drift of public opinion, not to mention the fact that they are engaging in censorship - so much for "Hard-hitting" current affairs coverage.

RTE's switchboard number is 01 2083111

by renegade FF - anti-biffo-spindoktor Tue Jan 14, 2003 16:07

You can phone their office through the RTE switchboard at (01)2083111

Be nice to the ladies at the switch and they will put you through.

Ask for either Primetime office or just Michael Heney.