Censorship in a Third Level Institution? Never!

If you thought we had it bad, spare a thought for the students who walk the hallowed grounds of TCD.

It seems that college staff in Trinity College Dublin are making efforts to introduce a controversial clause, giving the Senior Dean power to remove student publications from circulation.

The clause is being strongly opposed by student bodies after a working group, attended by the Senior Dean, Junior Dean, Dean of Students and the College Secretary. The clause was added on in the last minute.

This would entitle the Senior Dean to censor publications such as ‘Trinity News’, which has been openly critical of the college in the past.

Trinity College Students’ Union President, Cónán Ó Bróim expressed concern at the clause and claimed he feared it would lead to censorship, but that they would be willing to fight it.

Students have already shown there disdain for the act by setting up a facebook page showing their opposition to the clause. The page has already gathered over 800 fans, from colleges all over Ireland, as well as Trinity Alumni.

Maybe it’s time the fine students who care about their college, their publications and their reputation to take some more affirmative action in showing the Deans their outrage. They could start with a telephone call to the NUJ.

JK

Dramas and scandals

Willie O'Dea, the man behind that infamous gun, is gone.

After surviving a vote of confidence in the Dáil, it seemed the Limerick man was safe. He would have sat back in his chair and given a sigh of relief. His body was probably still tense with worry and his greying moustache more than likely still quivered in fear. A vicious attack on him in the Dáil by Enda Kenny would have left him shaking. 

'The Government are harboring a perjurer, it's perjury!',the Fine Gael leader cried, possibly intent on pointing the finger at somebody else, and diverting everybody's attention from his own party's celebrity dramas last week. George Lee, a man who has forever been predicting from behind his crystal ball, probably knew this was all going to happen already.

A casual comment about a fellow Limerick man owning a brothel-what has our government come to in recent years...? The Irish sit glued to their screens every Wednesday night waiting for the latest episode of 'The Dáil', popcorn in the microwave, hot toddies being passed around, Dunnes Stores mini cans of Club Orange for the younger crowd, it would remind one of the days of the 'Big Big Movie' on a Saturday night. The intro sounds loudly, people tap their feet in unison to the music, and the screen pans out to show a large room.

Abuse, scandal and derogatory comments fly from all sides of the room. Parents block their children's ears when Paul Gogarty's face comes into focus. They breathe a sigh of relief as he controls his 'parliamentary language' to that of John Kelleher's idea of a PG standard.

On the 'Dáil Extra', a programme with exclusive behind the scenes action, interviews,and diary-room events, Quinlivan, the man at the end of O'Dea's brothel comments, sits in the diary room chair and speaks to the camera, 'It’s hardly acceptable for a cabinet minister to go around smearing his political opponents in the middle of an election campaign’. The popcorn is passed around the room, loud munching noises and people nod their heads in agreement.

Alas!The tapes have been recovered...a journalist holds his head high-of course he did not make up such a comment on O'Dea's behalf. An advertisement break, the kettle is put on and a few toilet breaks, you can feel the suspense heighten in the living room.

Willie, himself, is slumped in his seat. It seems comments about brothels and Sinn Féil candidates can get you nowhere in life. The Greens are split in two, divided down the middle, do they agree with O'Dea's affidavit mistake? It is perjury? Or did it really slip the poor man's mind he made such a comment?

'I swore an affidavit to the best of my recollection...', Willie claims. 

Murmurs of disagreement echo around the living room. Grandad, a firm Fianna Fáil supporter, hangs his head in shame. What has become of the party that fought for a free Ireland in the twentieth century? They built an independent country, and now their scandals and mistakes are pulling out the threads from the seams, one by one.

He appeals to the opposition, 'I say things I don't really mean sometimes in the heat of battle...', he stumbles upon his words. It seems that all is lost. The Dáil agrees they have confidence in O'Dea however, the people at home begin to reassess their opinions of him...well, if the Dáil says he's okay, then maybe he is...?

The televisions are switched off..people resign themselves to bed in a state of confusion.

Thursday night, breaking news. O'Dea has resigned himself from the Dáil on the grounds that he felt his continuation in the office would distract from the important and vital work of the government. Well, wasn't that thoughtful of him?

Now, how did that come about? What changed the government's decision over night..?

Microwave popcorn boxes and mini cans are thrown into the trollies on Wednesday morning around the country. The dinner is eaten quickly, phones are taken off the hook and the country settles in by the television for another week of hype, drama, scandal and affairs...

DC.

Ignorance is bliss...

Part of what makes sports journalism so important to me is the mutual respect between player and reporter. Every week, Alex Ferguson will say "well done!” to Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves after his pre match interviews are complete. In 2002, Roy Keane sought after Tom Humphreys and Paul Kimmage to document the Irish team's unprofessional approach to World Cup preparations in Saipan. Journalists build up a relationship with the stars; achieve an understanding, and sometimes friendships with their subjects

But what happens when a journalist tries to break into the clique? The likes of Tom Humphreys, Paul Kimmage, Vincent Hogan or James Lawton can criticise players, teams and managers each week, and their opinions are highly respected and taken on board by the sports professionals. To break into the sports journalism clique you need to work for your jersey, not just have a regular column.

On Tuesday, in the wake of Ireland's humbling defeat in Paris, Kevin Myers launched a scathing attack on both Declan Kidney and Ronan O'Gara. He called into question Kidneys honesty. His lack of rugby knowledge was clear with each word, he called last season's Six Nations Grand Slam (arguably the greatest Irish sporting moment) an aberration and displayed all the smugness and condescending clichés of an armchair "fan".

He felt the need to explain to us who the great Brendan Mullen was, something a real fan wouldn’t feel the need to do. He told us in his infinite wisdom how teams target Ronan O'Gara's defensive frailties by running directly at his fly-half channel, without recognising how he regularly has the highest tackle count in each game he plays. He may be small, but his bravery cannot be questioned.

He slated Declan Kidney’s selection of O’Gara, and how the Irish team “did not want to win.” He told us about how we Irish have a longing for failure, and even a man as decorated as Kidney could not stay away from its allure. He insulted Jerry Flannery. Although his kick was shameful and crucial in the context of the game, much worse happens on the pith week in week out, and is in the lower category of offences one can commit. Certainly not worth omission from the Irish squad for two years, as Mr Myers would suggest.

Ronan called him on it. He didn’t seek a different journalist to aesthetically piece together his feelings. He didn’t deflect blame away from himself, or from the team. He went directly to Kevin and the public, with a Letter to the Editor. He questioned the balance of the article, and of how the editor would allow something so ignorant to the facts go to print.

O’Gara said that he himself is his harshest critic, and also said that Ireland was indeed well beaten by the French. But he refused to be made a scapegoat by Myers, who he labelled a self appointed rugby expert.

If Myers is indeed a rugby expert, would it be more appropriate for him to write in the sports section? Although entitled to his own opinion, Myers has insulted the most successful Irish team of all time, who until last week had not lost a match for almost eighteen months, and has in turn demonstrated his ignorance to the facts.

If what Myers had said was true, then why did Tony Ward, Hugh Farrelly and Gerry Thornley, the true experts, all put it down to a poor team performance, as well as a stunning French display? It seems Myers is on a sporting throne much higher than all the rest, who simply don’t have his expertise, class and most importantly, cunning skills of observation.

In demonstrating his need for attention, Myers has shown the two fingers to sports journalists everywhere. Who needs to build a relationship with their sporting subjects, when you have a daily column and the freedom to insult who you want?

He writes about sport because he needs to tell us how much he knows. I do it because sport matters.

NT

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/ogara-letter-to-editor-why-i-refuse-to--be-scapegoated-by-kevin-myers-2070434.html

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/kevin-myers-its-an-irish-characteristic-we-are-comfortable--with-failure-its-a-familiar-condition-and-it-suits-us-2064681.html

Off your head

I have heard more about these so called “head shops” over the last few weeks than ever before. Within two weeks of each other, two Dublin head shops went up in flames. These fires happened at time where the safety of head shops is under investigation. This has just added to the controversy. Fine Gael Health Spokesperson James Reilly has suggested that an amendment be placed in the Finance Bill to legally require head shops to have a licence to operate.

If head shops can sell “legal highs” without a licence how do we know how safe these products are? They claim to sell products such as hallucinogens and party pills made from substances that are not registered as drugs in any country therefore making them legal. If a product is not made from illegal substances but creates the same effect, is it not just a dangerous? You could say it defeats the purpose of why a drug with this effect was made illegal in the first place.

Apart from the legal highs that head shops sell they also sell drug paraphernalia such as bongs and rolling paper. Although head shops are not selling the drugs in the store, they are encouraging the use by selling products you more than likely need drugs to use.

With hospitals all over the country admitting people with side effects of head shop products, they must not be as safe as shop owners’ claim. Side effects induced by these products include addiction, difficulty breathing and psychotic episodes. Not exactly a safe high in my opinion.

Just because the substances are legal does not mean they will not cause harm. Legal is not the same as safe.

JOD

A Strategic Alliance?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0218/education.html

Should be interesting to see how this works out! At least it's some good publicity for the university.

AH

Public affairs

Tiger Wood's is no longer keeping schtum. On Friday, he is issuing a public apology for his misdemeanors.

Wood's dramatic fall from grace has been well documented by the media, but seems to have died down somewhat. Why does he feel the need to speak now?

And why do we care?

Woods is obviously apologising to get his career back on track and to win back the public's favour. but he's good at what he does. Why should his personal life affect his professional?

I personally have no interest in Wood's extra-marital activities. Why would I be, he didn't cheat on me. It's an issue between him and golf club wielding wife.

But of course the public can't get enough of these scandals.

John Terry and Toni Poole, Ashley and Cheryl Cole, Vernon Kaye and Tess Daly, and (sigh) Jordan and Peter Andre. High profile couples whose private lives being played out through the media.

Their personal heartbreak is being devoured by the misery hunger vulchers that we are. They sell newspapers. We love reading about their crap lives.

Do we feel guilty? Not a chance. If these celebrities make so many aspects of their lives public they aren't entitled to privacy, right? That is the common belief amongst the public.

Tiger Wood's apology will make headlines. Ashley Cole will probably cheat again, and again, and again. Millions are waiting in anticipation.

Meanwhile, people all over the world are living in poverty, dying of cancer and AIDS but we care more about John Terry being stripped of his captaincy over the England squad.


AH

Taking the Mick

If Mickey Harte thinks he can suddenly place a red hand over TV crews, he is severely mistaken. He was reported as being furious with GAA HQ and the allowance of media video footage to sight three of his players and earn them respective 4 week bans (Irish Daily Star, Feb 16th).

Subsequently, he said: "We could reserve the right to decide whether our League games are to be televised or not."

Come off it Mickey, you don't have the authority or the balls to follow through with that. Not only does TV coverage help gain extra revenue for your county, it helps showcase your talented squad and OUR games. Are you going to deny the Irish Diaspora this? Are you going to deny the ardent 90-year-old a chance to see his team because he can no longer go to games?
Didn't think so.

I acknowledge that you’re pissed off. The argument that the same uniform coverage and 'trial by media' should apply across the board, while holding sway in some quarters, shouldn't fit in with what we stand for. I, for one do not believe in 'trial by media', this is the role of the courts, CCCC and other professional bodies. The industry did not knock on the door of CCCC and say: "Next up for scrutiny is troublesome Tyrone". It was the CCCC who knocked on our door.

Your point on it being applicable to all counties is a given. It should be justified. But, in reality-who would you rather watch, Tyrone v Dublin, or Laois (my own county) v Carlow (no offence intended)? That is the reality. The industry is also one of corporatism. If that point is to stand, an independent arbitrator or reporter should go to all the games, and write up a list of all players to stand trial. Frankly, I don't think you or any right thinking GAA fan would want that either.

While on the topic, it would be rather naive of me to refrain from discussing Paul Galvin. Paul, a player who plays with passion, prowess, heart and the occasional spite was severely wronged in the Cork game. His sending off was on the basis of reputation rather than cause and effect. The man was wrestled and hauled to the ground, and the natural human impulse was to defend himself. He should have remained on the field of play. Football, unlike hurling is fast becoming a dirty game (Puke football). There is no universal and accepted method of tackling, the game is littered with cynical fouling and the new hand passing rule has confused player and manager.

While I am glad that the Tyrone county board have come out and acknowledged the benefit of national coverage:
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0217/tyrone.html
I am disappointed to see a manager of Harte's calibre and stature threatening press freedom and GAA pride.

After all, there are more important sporting issues that need and should be addressed.

D.K