Irish Radio Show Examines News Consumption and Hard-Hitting Stories

A recent radio show in Ireland delved into how people consume news, with some surprising findings. The program also presented some tough real-life stories, revealing a mix of media analysis, political discussion, and deeply personal accounts.

News Avoidance and Trust

The host, Cormac Ó hEadhra, seemed taken aback by a survey indicating that forty percent of people actively avoid the news. The show included coverage of the conflict between Israel and Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine, which made the level of interest in the news even more striking.

The survey showed that more people in Ireland, 56 percent, trust traditional news sources compared to the U.S., where partisan podcasts are common. Dr. Eileen Culloty of Dublin City University noted how journalists often find news consumption studies interesting, pointing out the obvious connection.

Investigative Journalism and Current Affairs

The show, “Drivetime,” often features well-researched reporting, even as the program leans toward interviews and analysis. A discussion between Ó hEadhra and Georgetown University academic Tara Kangarlou on whether Donald Trump will join Israel in attacking Iran took place. The academic acknowledged the limits of predicting such situations.

Impactful Personal Stories

In contrast, the conversation with Ukrainian parliamentarian Kira Rudik about Russian attacks on Kyiv had intense urgency. Rudik described the harrowing experience of spending the night in a bomb shelter as attacks targeted apartment blocks.

“We hope that, But let me ask, do I know if my family and I will survive to this point?”

—Kira Rudik, Ukrainian parliamentarian

The show also presented a story of Barry Lenihan concerning a mother’s anger over the “unduly lenient” prison sentence for an uninsured driver who killed her son in a hit and run. It’s a hard-hitting story.

According to a 2024 Reuters Institute report, 39% of global news consumers actively avoid news, citing fatigue and a lack of trust (Reuters Institute, 2024).

Other Show Content

The show “Today with Claire Byrne” discussed the recent EuroMillions winner in Ireland. The conversation, while a bit of fun, offered advice about what to do with the jackpot.

Government and Housing

Housing was also a topic, specifically, the government’s plans to build smaller apartments. Frank McDonald suggested it was adopting “the property industry’s dystopian playbook”.

The government’s housing spokesman, Seamus McGrath TD, maintained the measure would address a “viability gap”. Byrne, however, expressed some skepticism.

Moment of the Week

The radio show also featured an interview with Garry Hynes, the artistic director of Druid theatre company. Hynes discussed her career and the recent death of her wife, Martha O’Neill.

The choice of name for the theatre company also came up, originating from an Asterix comic.

In conclusion, the radio show offered a mix of news analysis and personal stories that provided a snapshot of current affairs in Ireland.