Daily, the Irish people have to digest the uncertainties of the economic situation and search, as is human nature, for the causes of our difficulties. The media core is not slow in attributing blame mainly to the politicians elected by us who run the country. I would argue that the blame-game culture of the media serves the profession well as it deflects from any sense of culpability that the media have in contributing to the current lack of confidence both inside and outside this country.


Economists suggest that the reason Irish bond yields/loan interest rates are so high is that the bond markets have lost confidence in the ability of this country to control our own finances. Where do these people get the information that informs their lack of confidence? They get it from the Irish media.


Words such as meltdown, catastrophic, nuclear and basket case are common currency in the Irish media. I worry this country is becoming a bitter little nation that is so contrary to our past, driven by the ubiquitous negativity of the media.


I believe in my nation, our culture, our society and our character. I call on the media to stand back from a culture of negativity and stand up for this country by not constantly seeking to put it down.


Dr Jonathon Roth


Clancys Strand


Limerick