Richard Behal in Court November 25 Killarney - after 24 year refusal to buy TV licence

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Tuesday November 18, 2008 01:05

by Andrew Gilchrist - Richard Behal Support Group

richard.behal at gmail dot com

68 Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Co Kerry

087 4100691- 064 32723

Former Sinn Fein candidate censored in 1984 European elections

Richard Behal was a candidate for Sinn Fein in 1984 European Election in Munster. This was an international election. He was prevented from appearing on RTE, due to a Ministerial Order under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act. His policies were misrepresented by RTE on a special Munster constituency programme, which gave the other eight candidates extended airtime.

At the end the programme purported to give the audience a very brief summary of Behal’s platform, but misrepresented it. He was never contacted by RTE.

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This action, primarily by the Irish state but also as aided and abetted by RTE, was a denial of democracy and of Behal and Sinn Fein’s right to put policies to the electorate on the most important medium of public opinion. Despite this, Behal received nearly 13,000 first preference votes. How different things might have been had a democratic election been held.

After that experience Behal publicly refused to buy a television licence. Before and during the election he had one - see copy below.

Behal served 15 days in Cork Jail in 2005 on foot of his refusal on principle to pay a fine imposed by the courts for not having a TV licence. He has been convicted again in 2007, and presently is facing and preparing to appeal another Circuit Court conviction in Killarney on November 25. This is a personal decision, but an important one in defence of the principle of free speech. Media self-censorship continues to the present day. It affects reporting the north and campaigning groups.

Behal will consent to buying a licence when:

He receives a proper apology and acknowledgment from the Irish state that it undermined the principle of informed consent by banning him from appearing on RTE during the 1984 European election - contrary to Section 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

He receives from RTE an acknowledgement and apology for their censorship and misrepresentation of his policies under their draconian and illegal interpretation of Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act.

Behal states:

I am taking this stance in defence of freedom of speech and democracy. This was a direct interference in an election. The censorship of that era prolonged violence by disaffecting many from the political process. It also poisoned media practice up to and including the present day.

I have maintained my stance over the years. While I am prepared to face the consequences, I invite those working or writing in, or commenting on, the media to assist this campaign by supporting my two demands.

Individuals and organisations can support me by email and/or by standing for freedom of speech in Killarney on November 25.

Richard Behal
richard.behal@gmail.com
087 4100691 (preferred), 064 32723