The Irish political party Sinn Fein has admitted they asked the US broadcaster CNN to refer to Gerry Adams by his “proper title” rather than “former IRA paramilitary commander” following a recent report.
The request was made of CNN broadcaster, Nic Robertson, who had reported on the protests in Belfast City over the decision to limit the number of days the union flag was displayed on City Hall. In his report Robertson had referred to Adams as a former member of the IRA.
In the CNN report (see below) Robertson described the Sinn Fein president as “former IRA paramilitary commander Gerry Adams, now the province’s most powerful, Catholic politician.”
A spokesperson for Sinn Fein told TheJournal.ie, “We just asked him to use his proper title in future. It was brought to our attention and we rang the person here on the ground and asked in future to refer to him by his proper title – Sinn Féin president and TD for Louth.”
“They were happy enough to do that.”
Here’s the CNN report
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.FallsRNat | Jan 20, 2013, 02:23 PM EST
is he complaining because they only refer to it in the past tense?
IrelandNorth | Jan 19, 2013, 03:59 AM EST
A political Northern Ireland (NI) which isn't really geographically northern due to the exigencies of gerrymandering. An Ireland which was constitutionally aborted before it saw the light of day. A United Kingdom (UK) which was involuntarily 'united' (sic), and for whose working classes is purely nominal. A European Union (EU) which for many is assuming all the hallmarks of the old bureaucratically hamstrung monolithic Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR/CCCP). Stop the world - I wanna get off!
gobdawpaddy | Jan 18, 2013, 10:59 PM EST
'her ancestors on both sides having fough the British in the late 1770s and early 178s0. God bless America and God save Ireland'. It is backward morons like you that have caused problems in NI for 40 years. This is 2013.
Seanmor | Jan 18, 2013, 07:54 PM EST
Statements like that of alois (at 10:37 am) reinforces the eroneous idea that the thity-year conflict in the North of Ireland was all about religion. I first saw Gerry Adams at Gaelic Park in the early 90s, when Clinton's Administratiion gave him permission to enter the U.S. I was accompanied at that event by my future wife, whose idea it was to see the Belfast M.P. close up. About 1½ years later we were married in a Methodist church - the bride's denomination. My wife in an active D.A.R. member, her ancestors on both sides having fough the British in the late 1770s and early 178s0. God bless America and God save Ireland.
IrelandNorth | Jan 18, 2013, 02:46 PM EST
seamus60! As Kildare folk singer, the bauld big Christy Moore would say: "Don't forget yer shovel if ya wanna go to work. Didley ahh didley ahhh!" alois! Yer a tulip. As Ulster wit Frank Carson would've said: "It's da way I tell 'em! That was a Cracker! Ahhh! I love yer script!
aloistmartin | Jan 18, 2013, 10:37 AM EST
Every Good Irish Catholic is an Irish Nationalist ! And the Tea and Bisquit, Peacenik, Fat Kats, in Dublin; Know It
aloistmartin | Jan 18, 2013, 10:37 AM EST
Seanmor@ I. don`t know who you sound more like; my mother, or her 4:00pm Talk Show Host ? ...
seamus60 | Jan 18, 2013, 04:04 AM EST
IrelandNorth. Any thing can be camofladged in fancy words but a spade will always be a spade.
IrelandNorth | Jan 18, 2013, 03:25 AM EST
The problem seems to be about contemporaenity. Ultimat reality resides in the present - the eternal now! Words can be spun to suit all agendas. One could front a headline: "Nic Robertson - who claims to be an objective journalist ... !" It's like trying to answer an infamous leading question like: "So - do you still beat yor wife?" If yes, you're a scoundrel. If no, you're just a lesser scoundrel, because you used to. Spin doctoring endures!
Seanmor | Jan 17, 2013, 09:36 PM EST
The Nationalists in the artificial "Ulster" State are the ones in Europe, if not the word, to experience blatent discrimination from the early 1920s to the late 1990s with scarcely a word of sympaty (or truth) from any of the mainstream media. If G.B.'s Prime Minister Cameron hadn't publicly admitted that the killing of 13 Civil Rights on Bloody Sunday were "unjustified" and "unjustifiable", media sourses such as CNN would still have us believe that these peaceful marchers were all criminals, terrorists, murderers.
aloistmartin | Jan 17, 2013, 09:01 PM EST
So who`s being more smug here CNN or Sinn Fein ?
seamus60 | Jan 17, 2013, 08:12 PM EST
Adams most powerful catholic politician on TV tonight to justify his call for a border poll. Reporter asks him what of all the people in the North who would fear the severe austerity measures already in force in the 26. Great answer, he said " the people in the North, especially those he had the honour of serving for a long time would have no fear of it because they have always had it". Sounds like another admission that he done nothing for them for all those years. Ye couldn`t make this stuff up. Then again we don`t have to when all thats required is to let Adams talk without a script. In the last few days it has also been disclosed that of the 40 most deprived wards in the North 36 are Nationalist. They must be really happy with Gerrys party as well. lol
Towngate | Jan 17, 2013, 07:37 PM EST
When you consider what he could and should be called ... Gerry Redhand is lucky to be (even falsely) described as 'the provinces most powerful politician' - I'm sure McGunless knows what that means and is not too happy about it,so has has ordered an upgrade of the battery-charger for his Black and Decker power-drill!
seamus60 | Jan 17, 2013, 07:02 PM EST
Why would CNN or anyone else fear Adams on this issue. He only has issue with CNN doing it as he now mixs in more capitalist circles and his image ( or wallet ) will be better served being known as TD adams. Come the next elections in the North he will do doubt be quite happy to revert back to calling Bobby Sands and many others COMRADES.
gobdawpaddy | Jan 17, 2013, 05:59 PM EST
If Gerry was not a commander in the IRA he should file a lawsuit against CNN and put this matter to rest, once and for all. Of course if he has something to hide, CNN's defence may prove awkward.
MegK311 | Jan 17, 2013, 05:38 PM EST
Poor Gerry is he embarrassed by his past association with the IRA. He can call himself whatever he likes he will always be remembered as the parmilitary commander of the IRA.
IrelandNorth | Jan 17, 2013, 02:47 PM EST
Irish-American and New York Times journalist P J O'Rourke once said that the purpose of journalism was to present the best available version of the truth. And that the first casualty of war was that truth. Sadly, press and media can often find themselves becomming designer propagandists for governments and partisan politics. You only have to read/watch the news about the same events in different papers/channels to see the varieties of gospels according to Tom, Dick and Harry.
IrelandNorth | Jan 17, 2013, 02:46 PM EST
Irish-American and New York Times journalist P J O'Rourke once said that the purpose of journalism was to present the best available version of the truth. And that the first casualty of war was that truth. Sadly, press and media can often find themselves becomming designer propagandists for governments and partisan politics. You only have to read/watch the news about the same events in different papers/channels to see the varieties of gospels according to Tom, Dick and Harry.
IrelandNorth | Jan 17, 2013, 02:43 PM EST
Irish-American and New york Times journalist P J O'Rourke once said that not only that the purpose of journalism was the truth!" but that its duty was "... to present the best available version of the truth!" Sadly, press and media can often find themselves becomming designer propagandists for governments and partisan politics. You only have to read/watch the news about the same events in different papers/channels to see the varieties of gospels according to Tom, Dick and Harry.
Paradigm | Jan 17, 2013, 10:31 AM EST
I detect a degree of snobbery in this submission on behalf of Gerry Adams. Not something that implies a mere volunteer - rather "Godfather of Violence" or the "hanging Judge" would better reflect his status.
seamus60 | Jan 17, 2013, 09:13 AM EST
Although the media have been referring to Adams in the same manner for 40 years, he`s only now taking offence.