ABSTRACT

In the previous chapter, I demonstrated certain patterns in the BBC's history which were connected to the pursuit, attainment and defence of its independence. To the extent that the UK and the Republic of Ireland have similar media systems, we can employ Ireland as a check on our theory: to extent that the theoretically derived patterns found in the history of the BBC are also found in the history of Irish public broadcasting, our theory is strengthened; to the extent that they are not found, or do not work in the expected direction, our theory is weakened.