Some national journalism takes a "cynical and negative" approach to the regions and shows a clear bias, a Cabinet Minister from the west of Ireland said yesterday.
Eamon Ó Cuív said recent research had shown that the regional media was increasing its market share. This raised the question as to how well the national media was reflecting the opinion of all the people of Ireland, he said.
Mr Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, was speaking at the presentation in Carrick-on-Shannon of the Western Development Commission John Healy Awards for journalism.
He said that while he appreciated how hard it was to get a regional story into a national paper, even if a reporter was working for a national newspaper, there was a need for more balance - and for a celebration of the work of volunteers.
He also questioned whether it was enough to relegate regional stories to sidebars in newspapers.
Mr Ó Cuív acknowledged that some people might think he was "upset" personally. But, he said, there was a view in his own Galway West constituency that the more the Dublin-based media attacked him, the better it was - and that this was a sort of "badge of honour".
He said he supported the need for "watchdog journalism. But it isn't good for society if we always reflect on the negative and cynical view, and we have to look at what effect that approach is having on young people."
The John Healy awards, in memory of the former Irish Times journalist, are made for work which contributes to the general public's awareness of the western region. Yesterday's ceremony was attended by Mr Healy's widow, Evelyn, and his brother, Gerry.
Michael Finlan, chairman of the judging panel and a former Irish Times journalist, told those present that he would not agree with all of Mr Ó Cuív's views on the media.
From his 23 years' experience of working with The Irish Times, Mr Finlan said there was not a problem getting a story from the regions into the newspaper.