Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ's

1. What is this about?

One sided reporting of news and events in NE Ireland. Biased editorials. Reporting is usually biased in favour of the British Government and the largest party (UUP)* and very seldom gives the nationalist side.
* Even though the UUP represents less than 26% of the voters

2.What are you trying to achieve?

Fairness and truth in the media. Balanced reporting. We are not trying to "win the media over to our side" just be fair, investigative and thorough. Going out and interviewing real people,unionists, loyalists, nationalists and republicans, instead of relying on telephone polls. The people there, deserve nothing less and the American, English, Canadian, and International readers deserve the truth in the news and better reporting.

3. Why don't you think this is being done now?

The constant quoting of "polls" for one thing. Terms, like "the political arm of" without any proof or background. News "viruses" spreading from British tabloids, or politicians into the media, terms and invented concepts like the "spirit of the GFA" spreading from paper to paper without questioning the origin.

4. Why is this?

It's easier and cheaper to hang around British Army HQ in Lisburn and get handouts from "public relations" NCO's and officers or from politicians' press secretaries than go out into the street. It's easier to pick up a phone and call people, who may tell you what they think you "want to hear". It's easier and more fun and more ego-boosting, to party with politicians, other journalists. It is also a way to form friendships that interfere with your objectivity.

5. Isn't Britain a democracy with a free press like the USA?

No! Britain has an offical secrets act that is in effect even durng peace time. Any editor or writer can be tapped on the shoulder and told not to publish a story. The Irish government has also had very strict censorhip for over 25 years since the 1970's. It was only suspended recently. It can be brought back at any time. And these are the sources of much of the stories and biases that gets to the American, Canandian and European media.

6. Is this strictly an activist website?

Yes. However, feel free to leave informational notes, but no adds please on the forum. However, the Irish Media Watch bulletin board is strictly activist and is for posting articles, editorials and responses only.(question 9).

7. How can I help?

a) Monitor your own local papers.
b) Alert others.
c) Write editors and others.
d) Post or email your letters, ideas and suggestions.

8. I've written editors, it never gets published! Is that the only way I can work for change? I want to reamin anonymous.

Just because they haven't published your letter does not mean you have not made an impact. Several of us have seen papers change policies or practices after a few letters that are not published, but acted upon. Writing a letter to the editor is not the only way to influence a paper. Email us if you are shy or want to remain anonymous, there are other ways to help effectively If you want to keep your own name out of print, but you are a good writer, then compose it for a friend, (who believes as you do), to sign and send it.

9. Is the Media Bulletin Board for political debate or statements?

The board is for activists who want to do something about the problem The board is a valuable tool for activists. We want to keep it that way. We have links to Debate Central (no fee required) which is for uncensored debate about Ireland and the Republican bulletin board, (which charges a small fee for its subscription) and allows its subscribers to post. We have an etire web page with links to other debate boards for you. The media bulletin board is for your use, it is a "work" board, not a debate board. If a post is not relevant to the media and media problems it will get deleted.

10. How is this Web site Organized?

• First check out the bulletin boards to see if there are any alerts,
  
• Next you can read today's latests articles about Ireland from all over the world, by clicking on Nuzhound, who provides that service.
  
• You can read your own personal favourite Irish papers.
  
• You can read the on line edition of many US, British, Australian or Canadian papers and, you will find right beside the links, the addresses and email addresses to mail letters to the print edition of those papers.
• And while you're at it here's some addresses and email addresses.for Congress, Irish & British PM's, etc
  
• You can go right to your email log on page, just by clicking on our emil log on page..
  
• How to Get Your Letters Published and another similar section on Letter and Op Ed writing.
  
• If you need to refer to the GFA or whatever, we provide a document section.
  
• Links to over 27 activist sites!
  
• Links to Media Monitors or "Watchdog" Sites
  
• A special section on protecting your privacy and security.
  

  Be patient, and please write us if we missed one of yours.If you log on to it and see a little worker digging away you'll know it is not complete, we are still working on it.
  Have fun! Save work/time when writing.
  

  11. How will I know if you've added a new feature or new links to the Other Irish Sites?

  Click on the What's New. You should also see the date of the change or addition.

  12. What does that yellow construction worker digging mean at the top of some sites?
  It means that the site is under construction, it is not complete, best look it over than click on your back button to get out of it; it may not work perfectly, yet. If you see a small construcition worder by a link, it means that site is temporarily down or under reconstruction.

  13. I noticed two links to the same site and the one is marked "II" Whys is that?

  We found that certain links will work with some brownsers but not others unless it is referenced a different way. Webtv will not take some of the links, but will if redefined. So we try both ways with those sites so you don't get locked out. Try the other if one does not work for you.

  14. A link doesn't work. Server can't find it

  Try it again, right away. Sometimes that just happens. A second later, you click again and it comes up. But, the web site's server provider could be down and might be down for a few minutes or even a day or two. It just happens from time to time. Sometimes it can be sabatouge or a virus, that the server's provider has to fix.

  15. OK, but it still doesn't work. That site is either inactive or gone. Please let us know. We want to keep this website fast and efficient and useful to you. Nothing is more frustrating than to click on things you really want and to find them "gone". We test and test links to make sure they are active and current. You are going to find a lot of dead or inactive links within some of the the Irish language sites, but you should find very very few when linking from here to the initial web site. We cannot conrol what happens once you get into another site. But we'll make sure you get to the home page of that particular site quickly and efficiently.

  16. You recommend certain sites and certain places to order things or put a direct link to certain sites. Do you get commission or are you connected with them?

  No. Recommendations are made on our past personal subjective experience and largely made on "customer service" or "we'll do our damnest to get you what you want", when others can't or won't even try hard. We get no commission or get money for "advertizing" anything. Just trying to provide you with "shortcuts" to what we have learned the hard way. And some sites, like the "Wild Geese", are just exceptionally good.

  Write us your ideas. Let us know if and when any sites no longer link or are inactive. We want to hear from you:

  
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