A lession from Ballymena

[An Fear Dubh]

I remember a long time ago having talks with loyalists (families of UVF prisoners), about prison protests and gaining maximum press coverage. Their first question was how much do we get paid by the BBC and UTV, for each interview!

Unionists seem to miss the point when dealing with the media. The media are not 'interested' they are bored, cynical and just doing a job. You have to sell them a story, network and cultivate, make them your friend and feed them 'exclusive' or ahead of the pack info, so that they are bound by a sense of onus so that when the hard to sell story comes along, you can twist the arm to ensure news coverage. The DUP have grasped the concept of media manipulation, but other unionists seem miles away.

The idea is as 'Blue Angel' has pointed out keep it simple, a complex explanation is no good to a journalist, they need short sound bites and snappy headline. Presenting the stereotype from one side is easy work for the bored, cynical journalist. Journalists do not want to work, you make their job easy by gift wrapping the story for them. If you want to counter this then you must gift wrap the counter story, you can not expect the truth to fight its way out, you must nurse it to the surface. And locals knowing the truth does little to change things for the better, it must spread beyond the local to the national level and force change to be made.

[An Fear Dubh]

I am not sure they help SF, but they certainly do not let the unionist point of view be heard. Which might be the same thing, but as Harry pointed out, SF have failed to highlight the unjustifiable attacks on Protestant homes. And as republicans we should condemn such attacks with the same vigour as attacks on the homes of Catholics. But Unionists who think that the media should do the right thing and search out the these stories are not living in the real world.

So the first onus is on the Unionist politicians to highlight these stories, the second onus is on republicans. Having the dual effect of supporting Protestants to live in peace, and sending the message to those nationalists who do these attacks that this is unaceptable behaviour.

The fact that some unionists misunderstand the workings of the media should not lead republicans to do jigs, but to work to ensure that the right message does reach the media.

[Harry]

Point taken regarding the media and alot of it makes great sense and i could only dream of us being as media savvy as republicans Ignoring him will only give him more time in the spotlight and give him more and more reason to carry on and increase his campaign. I do understand WASPs frustrations because he's wound so many people up and seems intent on causing friction but perhaps thats the reaction he wants the reaction he'd knew he'd get so it seems like he's calling all the shots and we are merely reacting to his moves instead of at least having an influence.......

I get so annoyed regarding SF and their lack of condemnation of attacks on Protestant homes. Its even worse when Setanta tries to justify it or offers lame excuses to defend SF. Am i wrong in thinking that SF should be condemning these attacks??? I appreciate the minimal effect that it may have but it truly would send out a clear message.

[Harry]

Thanks mate At the end of the day my own people are a million miles from perfect and those idiots who drum or hackle Monica Digney when she is trying to speak aren't fit to be in office. Or those that still seek to dominate over others also need to be given the boot. We've all got things that we could do better and its just my believe that Mr McKay could do alot more in other areas that may in fact heal divisions instead of creating more.

[Wasp]

Perhaps I am wrong to suggest ignoring him, but I feel that IMO Unionist politicians can answer everyone of his claims without having to give him a stage. They should tackle his claims head on and take it to the media and keep taking it to the media. Unionist leadership in Ballymena is weak or at least this is what it comes across as, IMO they could do a hell of alot more than what they do concerning the media. But the media IMO are also to blame for the lack of interest and the imbalance on coverage. All to often if a Protestant throws a stone and a Catholic throws ten stones then media focus is on the Protestant.

AFD I welcome your comments about condemnation, I really do.

[An Fear Dubh]

As Setanta has said being a PRO is bloody hard, so I can understand where he is coming from. But as a republican it is our duty to defend all to live in peace. That means Protestants as well. I think Harry you are fully justified in looking to SF to condemn publically such attacks. I accept that more can be done on the qt, but there must be public condemnation so that there is no ambiguity on the issue.