It’s now a constant occupation of Government Press Officers to stop any criticism of Brian Cowen or his government. This includes reporting on the hanging of paintings in galleries or on their potential value or how they got to be hung in the galleries in the first place.
Tonight RTE apologised for offence caused to Mr. Cowen and his family and disrespect caused to the Office of Taoiseach. The apology will be uploaded shortly I’m sure and I’ll link to it when it comes in. Thanks to John Handelaar!
RTE did not paint the paintings or hang them up that we know of!
They are not allowed run phone in shows free from government interference. Satire in RTE is dead or severely hamstrung. Editorial decisions made by RTE and all it’s programmes now need to be taken with this very large rock of salt – no independence can be expected in the light of this apology and all other recent instances of interference and lack of senior government input or participation in Prime Time, Questions and Answers etc. Of course a government press office can complain about lack of balance or wishing to tell it’s side of story but this has gone across the line.
The galleries probably now live in fear of any Arts Council funding being cut for letting pictures in or even participating in media interviews. Our Banana Republic well and truly exists (but we’re not allowed say that either.) And the tag for this debacle is #picturegate.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=4a42085e-6b8d-4ddc-8bf8-b4c477b67482)
Maman Poulet » Cowengate Roundup Day One // Mar 25, 2009 at 21:14
[...] purchase (Proceeds to Rape Crisis Network), international reactions, analysis of online coverage, complaint letters, and so many blogposts on the matter from all across the Blogosphere. (Many of whom say they [...]
The naked Brian Cowen // Mar 25, 2009 at 21:22
[...] RTE apologise for disrespect to Office of Taoiseach [...]
Maman,
I trusted you all day. Never crossed my mind otherwise, but it’s certainly made me think poor old Swift would have a hard time today.
Biffo Rising // Mar 25, 2009 at 22:07
[...] context, you could do better than looking here, here and [...]
Bah! Where was the artist when we needed him! i.e. when Bertie was on the scene.
cearta.ie » Cowengate and Freedom of Expression // Mar 26, 2009 at 07:43
[...] Figaro | Liam Murray | Little Beloved | Lucy Takes Off | Lucy’s drowning | Maman Poulet here, here, here and here | Media Lens Message Board here and here | New York Times | Niall O’Loughlin | [...]
Well said Goblin. On a serious note: I’d like to buy the paintings as an investment. Hopefully no one else will get the same idea.
When the history of Ireland is written in 50 years, this artist will be there. Was it the Danish cartoonist who inspired the work and the display?
There’s a thesis for a student of artology. A range of mugs and portable loo pots too. Any chance you’d know a suitable VC (venture capitalist)? (In case anyone thinks this is off the wall, go look at the pisspots of Gladstone during the Home Rule Crisis.)
The Declan Ganley line should go down well, eh. Maybe he’d fund production.
Brian Cowen shaped toilet spotted:
http://www.porcelainpoetry.faketrix.com/strange-toilets-weird-restrooms-page-2-pic-22-unusual-washroom-urinal-open-mouth-clown.htm
I’m soooo, soooooo sorry « The Unemployed Blog // Mar 26, 2009 at 21:12
[...] ran the night before regarding two paintings for our glorious Taoiseach Biffo in the nip. As usual, Suzy was first out of the paddock on this one. Just to be clear, nobody in RTÉ was responsible for the painting, and their report [...]
cearta.ie » Cowengate: Pictures at an exhibition // Mar 26, 2009 at 21:21
[...] Mail Online | Maman Poulet here, here, here, here, here and here | McGarr Solicitors | Media Lens Message Board here and here | [...]
Layers of change in Ireland (blog.thoughtwax.com) // Mar 26, 2009 at 23:21
[...] The following night, having been contacted by a government press officer, the state broadcaster issues an on-air apology for the story and removes it from their website[2]. Meanwhile Today FM, an independent commercial radio station [...]
Well done to Paul. It looks like Conor Casby isn’t the only one being jumped on by the humour police.
Since when has satire become a criminal offense? As far as I am aware, Conor Casby was making an artistic statement. Art is meant provoke a reaction. If a politician cannot deal with being satirized, lampooned, mocked and ridiculed then he (or she) should not be in Politics. People should not be outraged at Mr Casby’s brave and bold brush strokes but rather at the reaction of the office of an Taoiseach; which was, in my opinion, more like the actions of a totalitarian dictatorship than a western democracy.
RTE should not have to apologize for broadcasting a light hearted journalistic piece. Brian Cowen should have just laughed off the incident, his hissy fit reaction will be mocked , ridiculed and caricatured much more than these paintings will ever be. I for one applaud Conor Casby, not just for his paintings, but for his bravery and also for stirring up some much needed debate in this country. We have put up with so much crap over the years in this country. We, the public, have had the absolute piss taken out of us by politicians, it was high time someone took the piss out of them. Bravo Conor Casby!
Oh and on the subject of satire..
I wonder what the dail brigade think of Langerland?
In my opinion much funnier than these caricatures of Cowen..
I’m surprised RTE got away with that one…
For those who haven’t seen these hilariously funny cartoons , here’s a link :
http://www.langerland.com/
RTE should apologise for apologising
Catch Up – Part One « Kick Out The Jams // Jan 5, 2010 at 10:22
[...] RTE have become the Government broadcast agency. This is the same station that chose to issue an apology to Brian Cowen because it reported the story about those pictures smuggled into the National [...]