Sinn Féin spokesperson for communications David Cullinane TD has called on all political parties within the Dáil to support his bill to prohibit the blacklisting of journalists by any Irish broadcaster, adding that the practice is an assault on journalistic freedom.

Deputy Cullinane said:

“We heard many fine speeches in the Dáil recently on the need to tackle the banning of certain journalists from the airwaves of Communicorp, but very little by way of actual legislation.

“It is time to tackle this issue head on and so in the coming weeks I will be moving a bill in the Dáil that will do just that.

“It will amend the Broadcast Act 2009 to make it a breach of contract under the Act to prohibit a member of the National Union of Journalists from communications media for reason or reasons of occupation, employer, company, or employment status.

“This is to ensure that journalists are not discriminated against whilst doing their job simply for reasons of professional affiliation.

“I call on all parties and independents in the Dáil to support this bill when it comes before the house and to speed it to committee as quickly as possible.

“This practice needs to be made illegal as a matter of urgency.”