Garda Injured: IMCer Response to criticisms of Coverage of This

international | summit mobilisations | news report

Sunday May 02, 2004 16:15

by seedot

Someone above (Eyewitness Report Ashtown gate Thread) said

'If Indymedia want to show that it is a legitimate unbiased news coverage provider, perhaps it should try to get the definitive story on the Ban Garda that was injured, just a suggestion.'

OK - I rang the Garda press office at 9 a.m. to inquire after garda injuries. I was told that no statement was ready but that they could confirm that at least one Garda had been injured and brought to Blanchardstown hospital. they were released after examination. they would not confirm that it was a head injury, that it was caused by a missile or even that it was a Ban Garda.(all of which I had heard and asked them to confirm).

I was told that there may be a statement later in the day. I then went out and bought the papers where I read a lot more detail (if the Guards gave out different information to other media outlets then we can not really be blamed on this). Since what I had was out of date and didn't add much I didn't publish the

information until I saw the above quote. it may be more difficult for us to get the definitive story on garda injuries as on the couple of calls I have made to the Garda press office in the last week (always giving name, phone number and that i was ringing from indymedia) they have been friendly if surprisingly uncommicative for a press office.