Should corporate oligarchies set the agenda for public debate?

Should corporate oligarchies, including RTÉ, retain such enormous power to frame the agenda for public debate? By Vincent Browne.

It hardly matters which of the two oligarchs get control of Independent News and Media, for neither should be allowed to. Not because of any moral turpitude on the part of the oligarchy represented by Denis O’Brien or that represented by the O’Reilly family.

'It's not just ideology, it's fair!'

Vincent Browne considers the response to last night's show, which dealt with the potential impact of fiscal adjustment on welfare payments to lone parents. Panel: Louise Bayliss, Jim Power, Kieran Allen and Donal Donovan. {jathumbnailoff}

The most vulnerable in our society

On tonight's programme, Kieran Allen, Louise Bayliss, Donal Donovan and Jim Power. While the IMF report praises Irish policymakers in Ireland for placing the burden of fiscal adjustment on the well-off, the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill proposes to cut the lone parent payment. Is this unfair? Or is it necessary for welfare reform and labour activation?

Self-congratulation by the Sunday Independent

On Tonight with Vincent Browne, Carol Hunt, George Hook and Gavan Titley will be reviewing recent media coverage of the tussle between Denis O’Brien and the O’Reilly family for control of Independent Newspapers; coverage of Labour’s self-confidence at its recent annual conference; and of the state of the economy. {jathumbnailoff} Ahead of the programme, Vincent Browne reflects on how Irish media has approached these issues, lately

How Gilmore could have spelled out Labour's dilemma

Over the last 15 years Labour never saw its role as arguing for radically different politics, preferring to prioritise a return to government with Fine Gael. By Vincent Browne.

Eamon Gilmore's speech to the Labour Party conference last night could have been more plausible and, maybe, ultimately more electorally satisfying than the one which he delivered. (As this is being written prior to the delivery of the speech, I am assuming he adhered to the conventions of leaders' addresses at such gatherings, with the usual triumphalism, exaggerations and hype.)

Has it been worth the compromises Labour had to make?

On Tonight with Vincent Browne, Labour's Joe Costello, Socialist Party TD for Dublin West Joe Higgins, journalist and politics lecturer Elaine Byrne and Fionnan Sheahan of the Irish Independent discuss Labour's performance in government ahead of the party's conference this weekend. {jathumbnailoff}

Below, Vincent Browne blogs ahead of the show.

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