THE NATIONAL Union of Journalists has called on the Government to set up a commission to examine the future of the media in Ireland.
NUJ vice-president Barry McCall made the call at an NUJ meeting in Tullamore, Co Offaly, following the closure of the Offaly Express newspaper by Johnston Press.
Addressing NUJ members in the aftermath of a community gathering in solidarity with Offaly Express staff, Mr McCall said Johnston Press had been allowed to scoop up titles across the island of Ireland with no regard for the consequences.
The Competition Authority, Mr McCall said, “had ignored the implication for loss of media diversity within the regional press sector and had stood by while long-established newspapers with proud histories were acquired by speculators with little appreciation for heritage or community”.
The final edition of the Offaly Express was delayed by news of the death of Co Offaly journalist Kevin Farrell just prior to deadline. Mr Farrell worked in provincial papers including the Leinster and Offaly Express for over three decades before joining The Star. Ill health forced his retirement in recent years. His funeral is on Wednesday.