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Pirate stations often became embroiled in politics not just because they were broadcasting without licences but also due to the unregulated nature of the radio scene. One issue that caused friction was Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act that prohibited broadcast interviews with spokespersons for Sinn Féin and the IRA. Although RTÉ implemented the law strictly, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) opposed it on the grounds of media censorship. As they operated outside the law anyway, some pirate stations ignored Section 31 and occasionally paid the consequences. For instance, in 1982 the Radio Leinster presenter Gavin Duffy announced that he would interview Gerry Adams and other senior Sinn Féin figures. The station received a warning from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs and Duffy was fired. Another consequence was that politicians who appeared on the pirates were blacklisted by RTÉ, depriving themselves of coverage at election time. In a direct challenge to Section 31, temporary pirate stations supporting Sinn Féin or H-Block candidates also popped up from time to time.
This recording of a late-night talk show on Radio Dublin was made a few days before the general election on 17th February 1987 and is an example of how rules about balance in political coverage often did not apply to the pirates. Presenter Pat Jennings – himself a member of the NUJ – states that he is opposed to the broadcasting ban and interviews Paul Davidson (Tony Donlon, RIP) of Anoraks Ireland about how it plays out in the pirate world. There are also live calls from listeners giving their views on the election and in studio are former H-Block candidate Tony O’Hara and Dublin City Councillor Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus. The owner of Radio Dublin, Eamon Cooke, was well known for his republican sympathies and the station was one of a handful that did not broadcast a minute’s silence in November 1987 after the IRA bombed the war memorial ceremony in Enniskillen.
The label states that the recording was made from 105 FM on Saturday 14th February 1987 between 0045-0133, but it sounds like there are a few edits. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.
