Madam, – I read with great interest Peter Murtagh’s opinion piece (June 29th) reflecting on the libel action taken by Monica Leech against Independent Newspapers and the reaction of media to the award of €1.87 million made by the High Court to Ms Leech.
In the article he says: “Many fellow citizens... think we target people unjustly, with little thought of the pain we inflict on them and their families. You know what? They are largely correct, but the brush is applied across all media, as though we are all the same”
Mr Murtagh obviously feels aggrieved that the vast majority of responsible journalists like himself get “tarred with the same brush” because of the actions of the few irresponsible colleagues.
I have a certain sympathy for Mr Murtagh and as a priest I know how he feels.
The other interesting thing that Mr Murtagh notes in his article is that, to date, the Evening Herald or its parent company Independent Newspapers cannot bring themselves to apologise to Ms Leech for the hurt and trauma they caused her and her family even though the High Court found them to be guilty.
Rather than apologise they choose to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court and whinge about the size of the award against them and how it is a “major blow to the freedom of the press”.
I just wonder if this had been a case involving the State or the Catholic Church or some other institution in our country what would the various publications from the Independent Newspapers stable have to say about their refusal to apologise to the victim.
Can’t you just hear the outrage that would be expressed if such an institution was to appeal an adverse ruling to the Supreme Court. Is this another example of how our hallowed institutions find it so difficult to apologise for the wrongdoings of some of its members and even when the courts of the land find them guilty they still refuse to take proper responsibility for their actions?
Whatever the reasons for their conduct in this case surely Independent Newspapers have damaged their moral right to point the finger accusingly at other individuals and institutions who fall way short of their responsibilities. – Yours, etc,