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news report
 Wednesday February 19, 2003 20:40 by Janus
 Socialsit Workers reject newspaper's anti-Jew claim By Paul Anderson Last updated: 19-02-03, 18: Socialsit Workers reject newspaper's anti-Jew claim The Socilaist Workers Party (SWP) has hit back at a Sunday newspaper which suggested the SWP Website paints a "malign image" of Jews. The Sunday Independent article also said the Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell had ordered gardaí to conduct a criminal investigation into some of the site's content to establish whether it is in breach of the Incitement to Hatred Act. SWP spokesman, Mr Kieran Allen, today rejected the claims and described the article, published last Sunday, as a "gross slander". He said that, contrary to the newspaper's claim, the Department of Justice had not confirmed the Minister had ordered an investigation. The department confirmed to ireland.com that: "the Minister has no function in this matter and was not aware on any ongoing investigation". "The article claimed our website contained a 'malign image' of Jews. Again there is not a shred of evidence for this outrageous remark. The SWP does not tolerate any form of racism in its ranks," Mr Allen said. It is understood the newspaper will be publishing a clarification on Sunday. |
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Comments (9 of 9)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell speaks out against racism?
The same man who refuses Amnesty International access to Irish prisons?
In April 2001, an Amnesty survey of the views of ethnic minorities living in Ireland revealed that 73% believed the responsibility to educate the public about the dangers of racism lay with the government. In a follow up survey (April 2002), of the views of Irish people, 75% of respondents also believed this was the government's duty and 40% were of the opinion that not enough was being done in this regard.
As part of its campaign against racism, Amnesty made eight demands of the government, one of which was to introduce a public awareness programme. After a year of pressure, eventually, the "Know Racism" campaign was launched. The budget for this public awareness campaign was used to fund nationwide advertising, training in schools and individual projects undertaken by local groups.
In November 2002, the government announced that the funding for the "Know Racism" campaign will be cut by 63%. This is disproportionate to the cutbacks suffered in other areas and shows clearly that the government is NOT committed to combating racism in Ireland, in spite of its stated comments that it is.
A few corrections there Shorty: Amnesty's survey claiming that 73% of was published in September 2001 and the data used again in April 2002, i.e. they were from the same survey. As one of the author's and researchers on the report, I wanted to clarify that. Otherwise, I support the points you are making.
Its obvious that this article was a pure fantasy without a shred of evidence to back it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
SWP spokesman, Mr Kieran Allen, today rejected the claims and described the article, published last Sunday, as a "gross slander". He said that, contrary to the newspaper's claim, the Department of Justice had not confirmed the Minister had ordered an investigation.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
they've offered a "clarification"
I don't think a clarification is NEARLY ENOUGH when a story has been made up from start to finish and then printed as fact and repeated by Joe Duffy on RTE as fact!
The SWP would be on extremely good legal grounds to sue
- I think they should - why not use the ridiculous defamation laws this country has ?
A lot of people have succeeded in extracting cash from this blue shirt fantasy rag - I think yeese should go for it !
Conor
This issue had been part of an earlier discussion with people getting somewhat excited over the non-issue.
http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=29095&start=60&sid=43007
...under Irish defamation law, you cannot libel or slander a group of people. Just individuals.
You can libel a group of people if they are identifable.
"butchers are mad couldn't sue but "the butchers of Dorset St" then you could, also organisations and companies are single entities and can be defamed.
however, don't think anyone should use the libel laws -- they are a reactionary monstrosity.
The left should avoid em like the plague.