Media make sure there is no alternative

Since it is part of the human condition that power corrupts, it makes for a healthy democracy to have an alternative government to the one in power available at each election. The ongoing and relentless campaign of the majority of political correspondents to undermine the possibility of any alternative government to the present one being offered in the next election is, therefore, pathetic. This is a fairly widespread campaign. It includes the Independent group of papers, the so-called public service broadcaster RTÉ, much of commercial radio and TV and some of our former imperial masters' organs of propaganda in this country, such as the Daily Mail and the Sun.

This orchestrated campaign has been conducted over many years to limit the choice of the electorate. Its net result has been near continuous government by one party. Its modus operandi is having the coverage of political affairs confined to obsequious interviews with the politicians in power. There is a total lack of critical analysis towards the sayings and doings of the powers that be and the fact that they use the taxpayer's money to project their image and make celebrities of themselves. The cultivation of the image of the Taoiseach is all-pervading: flattering photographs, soft interviews on his doings and his family's connection with the celebrity circuit and nearly limitless access to public service radio and TV. Most importantly, this campaign is totally dedicated to the destruction of the credibility of the leadership of the main opposition parties.

It is a prostitution of the role of the media in a democracy. They are supposed to act as watchdogs by holding those in power to account on behalf of ordinary people. Instead they are deliberately attempting to undermine the democratic right of the electorate to have an alternative government available at election time.

Anthony Leavy
Sutton, Dublin 13