MEDIA COVERAGE OF COMMENTS ABOUT RELIGIONS

Motion Text

That this House notes the condemnation by sections of the media, particularly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, of those who use language which could be construed as anti-Catholic; but also notes the lack of criticism or condemnation by similar sections of the media about comments which could equally be construed as anti-Protestant, such as those of the former Policing Ombudsman in Northern Ireland Nuala O'Loan who, in August 2008 during a BBC Radio 4 interview for Woman's Hour, said Protestants would have been taught as children that they could not trust Catholics; and calls for a fair and balanced media approach in trying to ensure that such ill-informed and inaccurate comments cease to be made by all of those in positions of influence.