Media

Senator’s criticism of John Gilligan interview ‘stepped over the line’

NUJ claims Mary Seery-Kearney tried to ‘dictate editorial standards’ following Virgin Media’s broadcast of documentary about drug dealer

Senator Mary Seery-Kearney: Seamus Dooley, the NUJ general secretary, said Seery-Kearney had ‘stepped over the line’ after she called for a special sitting of the Oireachtas media committee to examine protocols around editorial standards following Virgin Media’s decision to broadcast the three-part documentary on Gilligan. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Mary Seery-Kearney has been criticised for attempting to “dictate editorial standards” after the Fine Gael senator hit out at Virgin Media’s decision to broadcast an interview with drug dealer John Gilligan.

Seamus Dooley, the NUJ general secretary, said Seery-Kearney had “stepped over the line” after she called this weekend for a special sitting of the Oireachtas media committee to examine protocols around editorial standards following Virgin Media’s decision to broadcast the three-part documentary on Gilligan.