by Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick
The National Citizens’ Parliament of Ireland on Media and Democracy met for its third session on Saturday 26th April in Limerick in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
During a very busy and productive day two sessions of the parliament were held, and ten resolutions were passed in draft form. These relate to media systems and to representation in the media and in political life. They will be fine-tuned and finalised at the final session of the Citizens’ Parliament on the 10th of May when resolutions on participation will be deliberated and voted upon.
These resolutions will be brought to each level of government that affects Irish citizens i.e. local government, national government and the Parliament of the EU. They will also be presented to the regulator, Coimisiún na Meán and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) so that they will have maximum impact.
Representation in the media and in political life
After a stimulating information session led by Dr Eileen Culloty, the citizens began their deliberations on representation. Dr Culloty highlighted two aspects of representation – negative and damaging types of representations versus inclusive and fair ways of representing groups, touching on who is speaking and how this opportunity to speak is framed.
The citizens engaged in a robust question and answers session taking notes to be used in their deliberations later in the day.
Representation of minority groups in the media and in democracy
The citizens then met three guest speakers who presented different perspectives on how minority groups are represented in media and democracy in Ireland.
Dr Lylian Fotabong and Dr Sindy Joyce are two representatives/activists for two marginalised, underrepresented groups in Irish politics and on Irish media, these are the Nigerian immigrant community and the Travelling community.
Allen Meagher founding editor of ‚Changing Ireland‘ magazine also addressed the citizens. Changing Ireland is based in Moyross, Limerick, an area that has been underrepresented in both national and local media in the past. This publication seeks to address the under representation and negative stereotyping of minorities in the media.
The participants asked very interesting questions of all three speakers and got an insight into the lived experience these generous speakers kindly shared with the group.
Some citizens spoke of how they themselves were personally affected by misrepresentation in the media and how they felt that they are not being represented in politics. The diverse range of backgrounds and experiences of the citizens in the Irish parliament led to a fruitful discussion and the identification of real issues that need to be addressed.
And now the end is near ….
The fourth and final citizens parliament will convene to deliberate over Participation on the 10th of May. Already the parliamentarians are expressing their disappointment that it will be the last full day that they will have the opportunity to engage in the important work of the Irish National Citizens’ Parliament on Media and Democracy!