It should be no surprise that I’m interested in stories about journalists, and I’m particularly drawn to stories about war correspondents on the front line. The Road to Hope with Fergal Keane (BBC News, Thursday) was a reflective and retrospective documentary narrated by the Irish journalist who worked for the BBC for years. It was…

I finished last week’s column with a brief mention of Pope Leo’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas on the theme of AI. Subsequently the document was well noted and received in the media. On Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1) Tuesday of last week, I liked Audrey Carville’s introduction on the Pope’s call for the ‘disarming’ of AI…

It’s good to see a high-profile drama series that takes religion seriously and doesn’t fall into too many lazy stereotypes. In Falling (Channel 4, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) Keeley Hawes excels as Sr Anna, who entered the convent at age 16 against the wishes of her mother. Twenty years later, a chance encounter with a young…

After covering some contentious issues in the last few weeks, I’m back on a positive trail this week. There have been some good news stories. On Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1, Tuesday) Aaron McElroy reported from the ordination of young priest Fr Stephen Sherry in Monaghan. An increase of interest in vocations was noted along…

here is no lack of hot button issues. As soon as one is discussed and fades, another lands to take its place. It’s a queue of controversies. Last week RTÉ seemed to be throwing its weight behind moves to progress surrogacy legislation. No fewer than three speakers in favour were interviewed last Wednesday morning, while…

Here we go again – another effort in Leinster House to liberalise our abortion laws, courtesy of the Social Democrats. Is there not enough death? Party leader Holly Cairns TD was interviewed briefly on Today with David McCullagh (RTÉ One, Tuesday). The host challenged her with a relevant point – the people voted to repeal…

TVRADIO Brendan O’Regan In Ireland we do so much good stuff, and so much bad stuff. It’s not just a case of goodies and baddies, but good and bad struggling in all of us. Some of us are caring, some malicious, some just hapless. Sometimes it’s the dysfunctional systems we create. Over the years we…