Irish Media Domination
Eoin Devereux reviews Helen Shaw's The Irish Media Directory and Guide 2006
Shaw's book also tracks the acquisition activities of a number of British media conglomerates such as the Johnston Group who have bought a number of Irish newspaper titles recently. Much of the media landscape in Ireland is now determined by the activities of a number of media companies who have interests that straddle both old and newer forms of media. The UTV group, for example, (of which TV3's parent company Can West owns 30 per cent) has interests in radio, telephony, television and Internet service provision.
Changes in media ownership and media content have come to be increasingly explained by reference to the rise of media conglomerates. These complex global media companies typically have interests across a range of sectors and occupy a position of dominance in the marketplace. A new book edited by the former Managing Director of RTÉ Radio, Helen Shaw, indicates that Ireland is no exception. It stresses the continued domination of the Irish print media by the Independent News and Media group. O'Reilly's conglomerate is responsible for 48 per cent of all newspaper sales. It has an interest in 25 regional titles, as well as newspaper interests in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.
Shaw's book also tracks the acquisition activities of a number of British media conglomerates such as the Johnston Group who have bought a number of Irish newspaper titles recently. Much of the media landscape in Ireland is now determined by the activities of a number of media companies who have interests that straddle both old and newer forms of media. The UTV group, for example, (of which TV3's parent company Can West owns 30 per cent) has interests in radio, telephony, television and Internet service provision.
The Irish Media Directory and Guide is an ambitious project. It combines a series of short essays on recent trends within the media on the island of Ireland with detailed listings in terms of print and broadcast media; and new media, as well as the range of third level and other courses on offer to those interested in following a media career. Apart from the significant practical value of this book, its real importance lies in its attempt to map the ever increasingly complex nature of the Irish media environment. It contains some interesting trends about our media use and consumption. In 2005, 38 per cent of the population have Internet access; there is 96 per cent mobile phone penetration in the Republic of Ireland; upwards of 25 per cent of newspapers sold in Ireland everyday are British; Morning Ireland is the most-listened to radio programme.
In a mammoth undertaking of this kind it is perhaps inevitable that there will be some errors and omissions. Flirt FM is in Galway and not in Limerick, as page 79 suggests. Ireland's oldest newspaper The Limerick Chronicle (founded in 1766) (which is part of The Limerick Leader group) is absent, as is Anner Television's 'Ireland Live Television', which broadcasts rolling news via the net 24 hours a day. Future editions of this book might also consider including those radio stations who fall outside of the remit of the BCI, which although "illegal" attract significant levels of audience interest and participation.
Notwithstanding these minor problems, Shaw's book is an invaluable contribution. Tracking the shifts and changes in the Irish media landscape, it will soon be a major resource for media professionals, students intent on a career in the media and those working in the voluntary and community sectors. The latter are usually in competition for media exposure with interest groups who are much better resourced. This media directory provides the contact details of key personnel within the media sectors, and as such, is a major contribution.
Dr Eoin Devereux is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at University of Limerick. His most recent book is Understanding The Media published by SAGE (2003)