Sir, – Patrick Nolan's letter criticising the deficiencies in relation to "the value of truth" in our democratic discourse deserves acknowledgement (August 17th).
His statement that media outlets , which are a very important opinion former of opinions, should be “responsible” and “rational” and offer “researched-based” views is so important.
What he calls the risks to our democratic way of life of doing otherwise is obvious in current developments, not least in this country.
This country was bankrupted by the virtually unchallenged decisions of a small number of its own most powerful citizens during the boom.
The consequent austerity was denounced by an emotional propaganda campaign which, if heeded, would have left us worse than Greece, which had to be bailed out at much the same time.
A disgracefully conducted media campaign during the recent election, in which emotion and trivia prevailed over truth, has left us with a country that is ungovernable and likely to remain so.
That is a criticism of mainstream media.
If internet media outlets, which are becoming more powerful, are taken into account, then totalitarianism and not truth is going to be the most powerful influence in our democratic discourse. – Yours, etc,
A LEAVY,
Sutton, Dublin 13.