Labour Youth National Chairperson Ciarán Garrett has described today’s ruling by the BAI on a Derek Mooney Show discussion on Marriage Equality as shocking. The show in question, aired on 20 January featured two panellists in addition to the presenter, all of whom indicated their support for Marriage Equality. Today, a complaint made by a member of the Family and Media Association that the show lacked balance and debate was upheld by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Labour Youth National Chairperson Ciarán Garrett said: “I think the vast majority of people will be shocked by this ruling. The complaint in itself is quite shocking, but of much greater worry to us is that the BAI upheld such an unreasonable and irrational complaint.”
“The Derek Mooney Show on 20January featured a man who became one of the first people in the Republic to enter into a same-sex civil partnership, and a representative of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network. It’s important to note that the show was not holding a debate on the upcoming Marriage Equality Referendum. It was simply focusing on the reality of same-sex relationships in Ireland. That the BAI shares the opinion of the individual who took issue with a discussion on a reality of Irish life, is quite simply shocking.”
“This ruling raises many questions about what is ‘acceptable’ and what isn’t in our on-air discussions around same-sex relationships. This radio show discussion did not take place during a referendum on the issue. The discussion did not even focus on the upcoming referendum.”
“We are very critical of this ruling. It is a slap in the face to the many thousands of same-sex couples in Ireland. Does this mean that they cannot discuss their family or their relationship without the need for a ‘balanced’, that is, a person who opposes their relationship or family, during any form of broadcast discussion?”
Garrett concluded: “This ruling by the BAI is wrong and must be withdrawn. As citizens of a Republic, Labour Youth members value the rights of individual citizens to live their lives in peace and respect as they choose, and to love who they choose, without the need for a critical voice in opposition any time they speak about their lives on air.”