Mick Clifford: The RTÉ-Dublin Pride row raises questions over freedom of speech

Dublin Pride’s action in targeting RTÉ following the airing of three editions of ‘Liveline’ featuring transgender issues is deeply worrying, writes Mick Clifford

'Liveline' presenter Joe Duffy presented a series of three shows dealing with aspects of gender identity, language in this area, and related issues. Picture: Moya Nolan

I got the dreaded call just before 9am yesterday. “What do you think?” one of my editors asked. He knew damn well what I thought. Any exploration of this subject was going to be fraught with grief. On the other hand, how could you not react?

An item had just been on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland and was all over the papers.