The politics behind An Phoblacht’s podcast series BY RACHEL COYLE Back in 2016, Lynn Boylan commissioned a study into the high level of concentration in the Irish media. The report was damning and concluded that the 26 Counties has one of the most concentrated media markets of any democracy with RTÉ and private business owner Denis O’Brien identified as the two dominant actors. Five years on from that study, the concentration continues, albeit with a few online competitors such as the TheJournal. ie, joe.ie, and Village that do challenge the establishment’s narrative with their circulation and reach. Denis O’Brien has sold his media holdings, but there is still concentration of ownership across media platforms. The new publications mentioned above, though slightly more politically diverse rarely contextualise their reporting. They report what has happened and much less why it has happened, especially from a left-wing perspective. They only seek to present and “moderate” debate as a neutral actor and so fail to provide space for a uniquely left wing analysis that would appeal to a large section of the anti-establishment left leaning electorate. Many people get their information through social media and are less trusting of traditional news platforms. The growing number of social media scandals, whistleblowers, and inquiries prove that voters get much of their political
• Denis O’Brien
information from YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. We have to ask what Irish commentary or analysis they are receiving when we know that algorithms are designed toward clickbait far right materials? The role of An Phoblacht as an alternative left-wing media
There was a clear gap in the availability of a left republican podcast 40
ISSUE NUMBER 4 – 2021 - UIMHIR EISIÚNA 4 anphoblacht
