Bus drivers query news block on strike threat

A bus drivers’ union today demanded to know why independent radio stations had been blocked from carrying reports on its strike threat.

The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) sent a letter by taxi to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI), which regulates the 48 independent and community radio stations.

In his letter to the BCI, NBRU general secretary Liam Tobin said its actions constituted a gross infringement of civil liberties tantamount to a gagging order.

He said he believed that the BCI took its decision yesterday after a complaint from an unidentified source that carrying news of the industrial dispute might affect the outcome of the European and local elections.

“Can you please tell me if these statements are true or not? If they are true can you provide the identity of the complainant and the basis on which your decision was taken? Can you also state why we were not informed of a decision which impacts so directly on our organisation?” he asked.

Media reports today identified Fianna Fáil as the party which complained to the BCI about the broadcasts on independent radio.

RTÉ, which is not regulated by the BCI, decided to run stories on decentralisation, threatened rail strikes and possible cuts in the Garda Siochana because it believed they did not interfere with the electoral process.

Under BCI rules, independent stations are not allowed to broadcast material which might influence the outcome of an election or referendum on the day before polling and on polling day itself.

The BCI confirmed it had received the letter from the NBRU. However, a spokeswoman said it had not received a complaint from Fianna Fáil about news coverage of the threatened bus and train strike.

“There was no complaint as such. It was a radio station – Today FM – seeking clarification from the BCI about running the story. The BCI advised that the story was fine as long as it complied with the guidelines and Today FM did carry the story,” she said.