Disinformation, omission and the politics of fear

IN his letter (April 28), John Kennedy advises the Irish Examiner and other media that they should impose an editorial veto on statements designed to spread disinformation concerning the Lisbon Treaty.

If the Irish Examiner had such an accurate vetting procedure in place, then I feel Mr Kennedy’s own letter wouldn’t have been published because of its inaccuracies and also for falling into what he describes as the ‘fear factor’ politics category. When he pointed to the positive aspect of the proposed citizens’ initiative whereby one million signatories from around the EU member states can petition the European Commission on a particular matter, he conveniently fails to mention that these would only require the commission to consider the matter — nothing more, nothing less.

I would consider that omission as disinformation. I also strongly reject the claim by Government ministers and other pro-Lisbon politicians that if the treaty is defeated, it will somehow diminish our influence in Europe.

Not only is that firmly in the ‘fear factor’ category, but the opposite very likely would be the case.

All eyes in Europe are now on Ireland and we are in a very strong position of influence to defeat the Lisbon Treaty in its present form and to renegotiate a real treaty which would do our own people and those in other small member states justice for the future.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy

89 Russell Heights

Cobh

Co Cork