Bishop defends media coverage of Limerick

The Right Rev Trevor Williams, a former journalist for the BBC in Belfast and who is to retire as a Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe in the summer, yesterday defended media coverage of Limerick over the years.

He said that, beyond the front-page headlines, readers of newspapers got a more complete picture of the city’s great aspects in their overall coverage

Bishop Williams, 66, who lives in Adare, intends to move to the North with his wife Joyce when he steps down at the end of July. They have three adult sons.

He said he had not taken the decision to retire lightly. “But I am convinced it is the right time for the diocese, my family, and myself. I am very thankful for the privilege of serving the united dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe for the past six years.”

Bishop Williams compared Limerick’s portrayal in the media to that of Belfast. He said: “Obviously, a journalist might say news is not the whole news; it is what is different, it is what is unusual, and, therefore, what hits the headlines is not the normal. However, if you are the reader, the consumer of news, and the only thing you hear is the news about a city, you get a distorted view and it is not the whole picture. And it is the same in Belfast.

“Belfast was known as ‘bomb city’ for many years and I lived there during that time. There were many other aspects to Belfast other than what was hitting the headlines, of which we could be justly proud. The same is true of Limerick.

“Limerick is a fantastic city and in a way the reality that has been presented in the news quite frequently is an aspect. But to think that that sums up everything about Limerick is very untrue.

“It is a vibrant city and this year of City of Culture has just shown what can emerge from a very thriving cultural community and creative people — the people of Limerick.”

Bishop Williams said news on any given day represents what is of interest to the public, and what is unusual.

“If it is normal it doesn’t have to be reported. When I was a journalist, the reply to people who criticised news at that time was that news is not actually the complete picture of life.

“You have to listen to the full output of a broadcasting station like the BBC or of a newspaper like the Irish Independent or the Irish Examiner or whatever, to get the full picture. It is not the headlines on the front page. Actually, in the totality, you get a fair picture,” he said.