ABSTRACT
In considering the relationship of the media and politics in an Irish context, this chapter examines some of the arguments about the media and democracy. It provides an overview of the media sector in Ireland, including the regulatory arrangements that are in place. The chapter discusses the role of media in parliament, with a focus on political journalism and the government communication system. It examines the media and elections not just as regards coverage of campaigns but also concerning the issue of bias, balance in reporting and televised leaders' debates. The chapter considers the impact of advances in communication technologies and new communication platforms on how the media and political systems interact, with a specific focus on the use of social media and the bypassing of traditional rules on political advertising. Within the gallery, the political correspondents group represents the interests of specialist reporters who have the exclusive right to attend private daily briefings from representatives of the government.
