NUJ defends media on Burke scandal

The National Union of Journalists is rallying to the defence of the media over accusations of a feeding frenzy in the Ray Burke scandal.

Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, has said columnists and reporters are behaving hysterically over the Flood Tribunal revelations.

He also reacted angrily to allegations of an €80,000 payment to a serving cabinet minister without evidence to back up the claims.

The NUJ have responded, however.

Secretary-elect of the NUJ, Seamus Dooley, says it is thanks to the media that corrupt politicians are being exposed. “It was the media who broke the story about Ray Burke, and it was politicians, including members of the current cabinet, who denied the rumours and said they are without foundation.

"There are echoes in the Minister for Justice's statement today of the type of statement when Ray Burke resigned when we were told that an honourable man had been done down by the media."