Media rarely attend Council meetings?
By Brendan Grehan
At last week’s Council meeting, Mayor of South Dublin, Paul Gogarty, took a swipe at the media, reports Brendan Grehan.
He looked up to the press area and said that he didn’t think many of the people sitting there were journalists.
Mayor Gogarty told the council that journalist now rarely attend council meetings and never attend local area committee meetings.
Mayor Gogarty did not seem to be aware that there was a journalist in the press area from The Echo newspaper.
When it was brought to his attention later on social media he said: “One journalist for god’s sake. How many overall.
“No one has a clue what goes on because there’s no live broadcasts and papers either have no funds to send people or they don’t employ enough. The Echo and Liffey Champion do make somewhat of an effort, the Gazette minimal.”
Councillor Liona O’Toole also commented on social media. She said: “Fair play to the one journalist that was there! But with the size of our county and all the many issues raised by councillors more media presence would be good for all so actual events could be recorded otherwise individuals are sending in their own version.
“I have had to send in articles but they are mainly wording from my motions which are on record, I don’t dismiss the journalists that ring me for a balanced report.
“Pity FG and FF amongst some others voted down webcast broadcasts so much for transparency.”
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