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2003
Role of media in moulding public attitudes cannot be over-emphasised
Date Released: 29 Oct 2003The role and influence of the media in moulding public attitudes to important issues such as immigration can not be over-emphasised, declared Mike Jennings, SIPTU's Regional Secretary, for the Midlands and South East. "In times of economic downturn, all societies - but more so Irish society - have a tendency to seek out scapegoats or 'whipping boys'. I remember some years ago, when unmarried mothers were the favourite target of the 'radio phone-in school of social commentary'!" said Mr. Jennings. "Today some unscrupulous commentators and politicians cannot resist the temptation to use attacks on immigrant workers as a cheap and nasty fast track to populist acclaim. "Journalists and media workers in general have a huge responsibility to ensure that nothing in their reporting contributes unnecessarily to the development of scare mongering or the growth of highly dangerous urban myths about immigrants and immigration. "Let me play my part in contributing to a facts based evaluation of the current position: ¨ The vast majority of immigrants in Ireland are working here because of a proven labour shortage with respect to the jobs they do. ¨ The overwhelming majority of immigrants in receipt of State benefits only get them because our Government has refused them the right to work. ¨ Immigrants who do receive State benefits do not receive more than their Irish counterparts - in fact if they are in receipt of 'direct provision' they must tolerate a system which most Irish people would compare with imprisonment. "The issue of immigrants is one where there are many options and choices to be made by our society in deciding our future policy. It is possible for decent progressive people to have differing views and opinions without either party being suspect or guilty of racism. "It is important that the media keeps an open space for rational debate on these complex issues. The tendency to sensationalise or discuss by 'sound-bite', must be resisted if we are to have a genuine, open and mutually respectful debate on these issues," concluded Mr. Jennings. Seamus Dooley, Irish Secretary of the NUJ said: "Our two Unions have a shared commitment to tackling racism and to safeguarding the rights of workers. In many media organisations - notably in the broadcasting sector - we work side by side and it is fitting that we should co-operate in defending the rights of workers. We must also work together to combat racial intolerance." Mr. Jennings and Mr. Dooley were speaking at the launch of a joint SIPTU/NUJ Statement on the Rights of Immigrant Workers in Ireland in Liberty Hall, today, October 29.
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