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David Norris says tabloid editor told him stories about him were “payback”

Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire

SENATOR DAVID NORRIS has made an allegation in the Seanad today that a tabloid editor told him that stories published about him were “payback time”.

The former Presidential candidate was speaking as part of the Seanad discussion on media standards which is currently ongoing. Senator Norris said that the editor said the articles were “payback time for what I had done in standing up for victims of invasion privacy” and specifically because of his focus on Ireland’s defamation law.

Norris called a speech by Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte as “pretty limp” and said that the debate in the Seanad should include discussion of what he described as “bullying” by the media of public figures. He also claimed that “bullying happens inside every single newspaper” and that he had proof of it but that those people who supplied him with the information were afraid to stand up against their “editorial masters”.

He was scathing of the “self-regulating” Press Council and said that “every newspaper” had carried editorials calling for other professions to have independent regulators – except their own profession. He also said that he had had to change his phone number three or four times but that “Grub Street” had managed to get his new number with little difficulty. He finished on an angry call for the Government to tackle the Irish media and claimed that there was not one TV, newspaper or broadcasting outlet that had not “villified me, blackguarded me, defamed me and libelled me”.

Senator Norris had become the focus of intense media scrutiny over letters written to the Israeli High Court in 1997 in defence of his former partner, asking for leniency after that partner, Ezra Nawi, was found guilty of having sex with an underage teenager in 1992.

David Norris resigned from the Presidential race for a time before rejoining and finished fifth in the field of seven candidates.

The Seanad statements on media standards; Pat Rabbitte criticises descent of media into “corrosive cynicism”>

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Comments (50 Comments)

  • Inda Kinny 22/02/12 #
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    He’s right. My comments always get deleted!!

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  • Report this comment

    Norris was far from innocent in matters of the past – but that said, there certainly seemed to be a certain viciousness coming from a number of particular areas including by certain printed press newspapers and even RTE primetime weekend presenters (who have a FF background and still support them)!

    Reply
    • Keith Banks 22/02/12 #
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      how exactly was he, personally, guitly?

    • Paul Anthony Ward 22/02/12 #
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      Wait. This was FF’s fault too?!
      We weren’t even in the presidential race & we still get blamed for stuff(!)

    • Report this comment

      1. Never said he was guilty of anything – but don’rt let that come between what I’ve actually posted and one’s ability to read what one might just want to see!

      2. A number of FF media persons made it clear by their viciousness, they were out to get him – via in print (The Independent was one paper) or by RTE presenters who ought to know better but let their guard down and showed their real character!

    • Joe Sixtwo 22/02/12 #
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      Yes you were Paul, trying to get in the backdoor with Gallagher.

    • Ryan Murphy 22/02/12 #
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      “Norris was far from innocent”…”Never said he was guilty”.

      Yet people are reading what they want, into what you’re posting?

      Okay then.

    • Report this comment

      Christ – does everything have to be spelt out like we have to educate five year olds?
      Seriously, do some of ye have any kop on at all?

      I said “Norris was far from innocent” – thus indicating that he might have questions to answer (or did) !
      I did NOT say he was fully guilty of anything. Have you got that or are ye still going act be belligerent and act stupid?

      The level of comprehension – or should I say the lack of it – astounds me daily!

    • mattoid 22/02/12 #
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      You last post seems to indicate that you believe someone can be slightly innocent or slightly guilty, in the same way that someone can be slightly pregnant.

    • mattoid 22/02/12 #
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      Your last post seems to indicate that you believe someone can be slightly innocent or slightly guilty, in the same way that someone can be slightly pregnant.

    • Biggins31 22/02/12 #
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      My last post can indicate that no one is entirely snow white in life but can also not be the devil incarnate either – as did my first post.
      …If one can take a moment and not rush into hasty incomprehensions!

    • Stadler Waldorf 23/02/12 #
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      So you post under 2 names on here then? :-) Sorry, I digress…

    • Keith Banks 23/02/12 #
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      ha, stung there mate

    • Report this comment

      For the record, separate computer!

    • Keith Banks 27/02/12 #
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      im sure youre a lovely person but thats a retarded answer

    • Report this comment

      well regardless of what work (Biggins31 – for obvious reason) or home personal machine (Unitedpeople Ireland – more personal) I have logged in from, your wish to side track the issue, my point still stands as I have first commented.
      Sorry you don’t like it but thats the way reality is.

  • Adam Long 22/02/12 #
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    David Norris is right to make these points – “self regulation” hasn’t worked unfortunately. We have seen in Britain how some media moguls used their power to bully and intimidate senior political figures, police officers and so on. It’s not as bad here yet but some of the coverage of the recent Presidential Election certainly marked a low point and Senator Norris is in a good position to talk about that. We need a strong and independent media, but like any other industry, it also must be accountable and expected to adhere to certain basic standards.

    It’s also great to see Senator Norris back to his old self, fighting the good fight in the Seanad and with the kind of passion and vigour that has endeared him to so many people!

    Reply
    • John Murphy 22/02/12 #
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      Here Here! Adam.
      Self regulation has been a disaster all around. From the self regulation of the building industry and banking sectors to the appalling standards of reporting in the media which seem to be more directed towards the opinionated pursuit of notoriety than factual and unbiased reporting.
      Yes, it is good to see David Norris back to his old self enlightening the Seanad with his wit, passion and aplomb.

    • Sheila Murphy 22/02/12 #
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      whilst self-regulation has certainly not been the best, I’d be a lot more worried if they were government regulated; I don’t want a press that is afraid of the gov

    • John Murphy 22/02/12 #
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      Yes, they should be government regulated Sheila.
      Of course that regulation should not equate with censorship or the vilification of investigative journalists who highlight issues of public concern. Regulation should ensure that media is not spreading a message that suits the purpose of the corporate interests that own it rather than the public interest that it is there to serve.
      The media has served this country very well over the years but that is being threatened now by corporate influences that have only one thing in mind – the circulation of their publications and the protection of their interests.

    • skeolawn 23/02/12 #
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      Yes, government regulated like that fine example Pravda. You could always be sure of appropriate deference to the powers that be.

    • Sheila Murphy 23/02/12 #
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      Hi John this is the first time I’ve ever disagreed with you ;-)

      I recognise what you’re saying and why you’re saying it but unfortunately spreading a message that suits the purpose of the corporate interests is completely applicable to the gov too…….

      At the UK Levinson enquiry, it was the one point that everyone agreed on when questioned by Lord Levinson if the UK press should be gov controlled – everyone from ALL sides answered no.

    • John Murphy 23/02/12 #
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      I don’t think we have much at odds here Sheila.
      I wasn’t very clear in what I meant. There is a government appointed press commission or press council (estb. 2007) and a press ombudsman who together clearly have not being doing their job, if Mr. Norris is to be believed. It would seem from recent reports that while all the structures are in place (like much more in this country) the regulations have not been enforced. It is clearly the case (like in the building industry) that window dressing forgoes actual regulation and the corporate interests rule the roost.
      Regarding window dressing it is interesting to look over the names of the luminaries that make up this body and one would indeed wonder why people like Mr. Norris are so aggrieved with such fine people in charge!
      Self regulation took over from a government appointed panel that was not doing it’s job. Tail wagging the dog yet again!

    • Sheila Murphy 23/02/12 #
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      John I’m delighted that we’re back in agreement!!! You’re correct; re: the Press Ombudsman & Commission – mirror image of the Financial regulator – they all seem to have found the comfortable and taken back seat(s)!!!!!

    • Sheila Murphy 23/02/12 #
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      *** they all seem to have taken a back seat(s)!!!!!***

  • Hugh O Connell 22/02/12 #
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    !!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • skeolawn 22/02/12 #
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    Self regulation is a load of nonsense. That said, I’d like to see Norris disputing some of the facts reported in the media – or does he just want regulation because the stories did not suit his agenda. That is a dangerous course.

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  • Ciaro 22/02/12 #
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    Great to hear the Seanad are actually sitting today, shame that they contribute absolutely nothing to this country.

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  • Gearoid Walsh 22/02/12 #
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    I don’t know what paper he is talking about, but I find the mean-spirited cheapness of the Independent fucking disgusting. Especially for a paper that poses as a ‘broadsheet’.

    I remember reading a diatribe cutting Enya to pieces in their Sunday magazine – a 2 or 3 page character assassination. That was few years ago, probably the last time I read the wretched thing. I’m no fan of or bleeding heart for Enya one way or another, but wtf? Leave her alone and do something constructive and responsible. I find that article to be absolutely TYPICAL of them too, and the idea that someone high up set his pitbull on her for some personal reason or other actually seems likely.

    I don’t know how you can legislate against that, without sliding into censorship territory, which would seem worse. But at the same time, it definitely bears talking about in the light of day.

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  • Foggy Lad 22/02/12 #
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    bloody fool should resign from the seanad. he is only making a laughing stock of government now.

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  • AlMar 22/02/12 #
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    Norris is spot on here. This doesn’t mean that he didn’t have a case to answer mind you, but he is right on the issue of media agendas.

    In my professional life I have contributed to media programmes on a variety of issues. Let’s just say that there is a phenomenal difference in how I have been treated depending on the issue – when I have been on the side favoured by the media i have been wrapped in cotton wool but when I have been on less favoured sides the treatment has been vicious. And the journalists have admitted their bias to me when they were on the same side as me.

    Whatever happened to just presenting the facts without twisting them?

    Same goes for The Journal by the way – always the same slant in reporting on certain issues…

    Reply
    • Conor Graham 22/02/12 #
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      Yes, it should be the law that media should have (opp of disclaimers- ‘proclaimers’?) when they publish or broadcast anything that implies conflict of interest.

      I could give very clear and unambiguous examples from personal experience of how some newspapers choose the subject and content of articles to further the ends of contiguous business interests… but would probably be deleted for libel. Nevertheless, when our larger national media are owned by business people with a vested interest in (the very malleable) public opinion being swayed in certain ways, and can produce content without proclaimations, there is a definite abuse of trust going on that is very sinister.

    • Shanti Om 22/02/12 #
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      Agreed.. However, that would get in the way of this sort of behaviour…

      http://en.www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_manipulation

      Not that this would be a bad thing, but something tells me that those who indulge in this behaviour hold a tad too much sway..

  • Eileen Gabbett 22/02/12 #
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    This really does not surprise me .

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  • Niamh Byrne 22/02/12 #
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    Before I start I do think there should be more regulation, esp after the sun debacle..BUT….yesterday we had darren scully pleading the victim today its norris….proof there is no personal accountability or acceptance if responsibility in this country. Blah blah….same excuses different faces.

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  • Joe Maher 22/02/12 #
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    Gosh David Norris not in the news for a while so he makes sure he is what a surprise its been a while since a rant

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  • Eugene Fitzgerald 22/02/12 #
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    The man is what he is. Stop blaming media.

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  • Sid Cassidy 22/02/12 #
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    Why is Norris complaining didn’t he manage to hide the skeletons for a very long time how is he able to work while being paid disability for twenty years the Gaul of the man absolutely shameles

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    • Niamh Byrne 23/02/12 #
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      Exactly mr. cassidy. If he had nothing to hide he wouldn’t have ruined his own chances. He has no one to blame but himself.

  • Conor Graham 24/02/12 #
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    Maybe his motivation is selfish, but the cause is just?

    Reply

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