Communication Technology and New Media Commons^™

The Political Lobby System, Michael Foley

Irish Communication Review

At the heart of the political system in Ireland, inside Leinster House, is a small groQp of journalists who cover politics. They are the political correspondents. They have a privileged position, their own rooms, access to politicians in their place of work, access to government ministers and regular briefings from the government press secretary and from the press officers of the other political parties. It is these few journalists, working together, who write the first story on any event, who decide what to cover and how stories should be covered. It is to these journalists that the government press secretary …

Social Scientists And Journalists: Are The Former Really So Different From The Latter?, Liz Fawcett

Irish Communication Review

As a journalist who has recently begun carrying out sociological research, I have been struck by the parallels between social science and journalism. I have also been intrigued by some sociological studies of the media which seem to me to suggest that we are little more than a bunch of jumped-up charlatans. This article seeks to examine whether journalism is, in fact, so very different from the social sciences and to ask what might motivate some social scientists to wish to establish a firm differential between the two occupations.

Independent Local Radio: How Local?, Seamus White

Irish Communication Review

1988 marked a new era in Irish broadcasting history. Up until then independent broadcasting services consisted of unlicenced and unregulated pirate radio stations. The 1988 Radio and Television Act created the Independent Radio and Television Commission, giving It powers to establish and supervise legal and independent local radio. By the end of 1991, twenty one such local stations were In operation. In deciding who would be awarded local radio franchises, the 1988 Act Instructed the IRTC to take Into consideration a range of criteria. Judging from the guide which the IRTC provided for applicants and the nature of the questioning …

Through A Glass, Darkly ... Reflections On Secrecy And Censorship In Ireland, Paddy Smyth

Irish Communication Review

Censorship, whether justifiable or not, is first and foremost a denial of a part of reality. In Ireland traditionally, it has been about the denial of the sensual. Today, less so. Our censors in 1993 are concerned predominantly with the consequences of sex and the causes of political violence. Above all, they are driven by the conviction that supposedly unshakeable value systems will fail the test of contact with the harshness of real life, and that people are so weak-willed, that they, like children, must be protected from their baser instincts, for their own good. People must be protected from …

The European Media Programme - A Producer's Experience, Gerry Gregg

Irish Communication Review

In 1988 the European Media programme was launched to encourage film and television production in Europe for European audiences. The same year the Irish Film Board was abolished. As 1992 approached, such was the perceived success of the Media Programme, the European Commission decided to extend and expand the media initiative until 1995. Meanwhile, in Ireland the Government had followed up the coup de grace on the Film Board with the cap on RTE advertising revenue. Ostensibly the cap was designed to encourage advertisers to place their bets on the new national independent radio channels airtime and on TV3. By …

Book Reviews Volume 2

Irish Communication Review

Book review by Tony Fahy of Ian Ang: Desperately Seeking the Audience

Book review by Greta Jones of Thomas Richards The commodity culture of Victorian England: advertising and spectacle, 1851-1914

Book review by Colum Kenny of Broadcast and electronic media in Western Europe

Book review by Mary Maher of Ann Shearer Survivors and the media

Book review by Mary Maher of Andrea Millwood Hargrave Taste and Decency in Broadcasting

Book review by Henry McClave of Joan Mulholland The language of negotiation - a handbook of practical strategies for improving communication

Book review by Jim Nolan of W. Leiss, S.Kline and …

The Parameters Of The Permissible: How Scrap Saturday Got Away With It, Helena Sheenan

Irish Communication Review

From October 1990 to December 1991, weekends had to be organized carefully. If you were not listening to RTE Radio l on Saturday morning, did not catch the repeat on Sunday or make arrangements for it to be recorded for you, you were at a loss during the next week. The word spread like wild fire and Scrap Saturday became central to the public discourse. Talk of audience fragmentation was forgotten. Here was a society talking to Itself, coming to terms with Itself, laughing at itself. We were connected to each other In a particular way through It. There is …

Television And Schools, Sheelagh Drudy

Irish Communication Review

No abstract provided.

Interview With Keith Donald, Popular Music Officer Of The Arts Council, Rose Downes, Barbara Bradby

Irish Communication Review

No abstract provided.

On Public Service Broadcasting: Against The Tide, Helena Sheenan

Irish Communication Review

The defence of public service broadcasting has become so unfashionable in recent years. Despite an international climate bearing down upon Its economic base from without and an erosion of its ethos from within, I seem to be among an ever dwindling number who want to defend It.

Independent Local Radio: An Irish Success Story, Denis O'Brien

Irish Communication Review

An outsider taking a cursory glance at independent broadcasting in Ireland in 1991 could be forgiven for thinking that the performance of the sector as whole was at best, disappointing and at worst disastrous. The collapse of the national radio licence holder Century Radio, and the removal of the independent television franchise from the TV3 consortium were landmarks in the recent history of independent broadcasting and, not unexpectedly, dominated most of the public focus, comment and debate on the fledgling sector in the past year.

The Nordic Model Of Broadcasting Liberalization, Olof Hulten

Irish Communication Review

No abstract provided.

Documenting The Troubles: A Question Of Perspective, David Butler

Irish Communication Review

The main aim of this essay is to analyze British documentary coverage of the conflict In Northern Ireland (NI) with a view lo assessing whether there are detectable patterns of explanations across the range of output . The argument has been formed In relation to the discourse of 'Media Studies' research. To this end, there are, it seems to me, three key factors to stress by way of introduction.

Not Purely An Academic Matter: Relating Critical Theory And Production Practice Within Media Studies, Des Bell

Irish Communication Review

In this article I explore the relation of crtical theory to the teaching of media practice within Media Studies. Or, to reverse the question, I ask in what ways could an enlightened pedagogy of media production engender radical practices of criticism within our Media Studies courses appropriate to the contemporary period?

Media Images Of Disability, Brian Trench

Irish Communication Review

No abstract provided.

Cinema Film Distribution And Exhibition In Ireland, Damien O'Donnell

Irish Communication Review

This study of cinema film distribution and exhibition practices In Ireland examines key aspects of the Industry: firstly, the basic mechanics of the Industry and Its operations: secondly, the various alignments between exhibitors and distributors and consequences of those alignments: thirdly, the impact of the arrival of British multiplex companies: fourthly, the costs of film censorship; and finally, the idea of an 'art-house' circuit In Ireland.

Audience Research In Rte, Tony Fahy

Irish Communication Review

No abstract provided.

Book Reviews : Volume 1

Irish Communication Review

Book Reviews

James Lull: Inside family viewing: ethnographic research on television's audiences reviewed by Martin Mcloone

Josephine Langham: Teachers and television - a history of the IBA 's educational fellowship scheme reviewed by Brian O'Neill

Mary E. Brown: Television and women's culture: the politics of the popular reviewed by Patsy Murphy

Jean Baudrillard:Cool memories. Translated by Chris Turner, reviewed by Richard Kearney

Television Without Frontiers: The Economic Dimension, Mario Hirsch

Irish Communication Review

With the establishment of a single market in broadcasting for audiences throughout the EC. which Is the main aim of the EC Television Directive of 1989. conditions are supposed to be created for the full development of broadcasting activities. Supporters of this initiative. which Is In line with the general internal market philosophy. believe that an enlarged market In broadcasting will bring economies of scale and improve the International trading position of member states in both the software and the hardware aspects of broadcasting.

Television In An Uneasy Place Between Culture And Industry, Vibeke Petersen

Irish Communication Review

Before the EC Directive on 'Television without Frontiers' was adopted on 3 October 1989. a great deal of statistics and forecasts about the sony state of the European television Industry had pointed to the necessity for action. There was - and Is - the fear that foreign. mainly American, programmes would Increasingly dominate European screens. resulting in a loss of European culture and the demise of our audiovisual industry. To mention a few of the factors behind this gloomy view: • American fiction films have over 40 per cent of the European market share. • American-controlled companies have 60 per …