Author Archives: Simon McGarr

Newspapers: Falling with deaf ears

Newspapers, can you listen? Because if you can’t, eventually, readers will speak with their pockets. Wouldn’t it be better for both of us if you could hear us speaking to you before that final shout?

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Fol Da Rol

I do not use my writing here as confessional. I do not demand you buy things. I do not write because I insist you agree with my viewpoints. I write here because I can and sometimes because I must. I … Continue reading

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Why it matters that the Oireachtas just killed KildareStreet.com

When the Houses of the Oireachtas killed KildareStreet.com, they killed a lot more than one site. They killed off the best chance to build Ireland’s next generation of civil society.

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Coillte: Trees and stuff

That’s odd, I thought to myself. Why would Coillte be paying money for ads on the front page of the Irish Times website? Don’t they just plant trees, wait a decade, and then chop them down? Shows how much I … Continue reading

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RTE’s “Commercially Sensitive” data on the Irish online news market

Dear Mr. McGarr Please find attached the remaining withheld records that refer to your request made under Freedom of Information legislation for records relating to the offer by RTE to make available news inserts for INN [sic] websites. This document … Continue reading

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No. 95 Merrion Sq: Let’s ask some questions

This fundit proposal is to commission freelance journalist Gerald Cunningham (http://www.faduda.net) to write a feature article on Number 95 Merrion Square West, Apothocaries’ Hall- its history and its current state. I have agreed the rate with him for this article.

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SOPA Ireland: Irish State is dancing to record labels’ tune

After EMI Records [Ireland] Limited & Others sued the Irish State and the Attorney General, the Chief State Solicitor entered an appearance on the 17th January 2012. They have until the 28th February to enter a Defence.

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Noises Off

Contrary to appearances, I have been plugging away at a couple of different things this month. Primarily, I have been involved in the campaign to stop the government bringing in a Statutory Instrument which would allow copyright holders (ie record … Continue reading

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Template Complaint Letter to Data Protection Commissioner about CityDeal.ie (Groupon)

Template complaint letter to the Data Protection Commissioner re Groupon. Feel free to adapt to fit your complaint.

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National Digital Research Centre: Making Investments or “Investments”?

What are we to make of an NDRC financial statement which shows no shareholdings? And how does it jib with talk of income returning exits?

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