Careless Incitement

Tabloid standards in FAS assisted project.

A publication called Centre Focus is a regular newspaper funded by FAS. It uses as an office the Centre for The unemployed North Main st.

The building is owned by Cork Council of Trade unions. In a series of tabloid style articles it has raised concerns about sterotyping and attackiing those that are involved in progressive activist work and in particular the greater understanding between different ethnic and religous groups.

Many complaints have been made about its editorial style but why is it not being discussed on a wider format.?

This publication Centre Focus seems to take it upon itself to comment about anything and everything with very little evidence of considerable or even basic research or objectivity.

It comes out on a monthly basis and is distributed around Cork city. It was originally thought of as a project that would reflect well on the centre for the Unemployed.

Previous issues have featured inflamatory remarks about Travellers and seemed to coat tail on previous work done by Noel O'Flynn T.D and other public representatives and big mouths.

The N.A.S.C group was viciously attacked in another issue. N.A.S.C is a national Immigrant support centre based in Cork. It caters for asylum seekers doing legal workshops self help courses advice on finding ones way in Irish culture as well as hosting social events. It is staffed by a tireless and committed small number of full time staff as well as numerous volunteers. Hardly an Immigrant living in the Cork area has not made positive use of the facilities at one time or another.

The latest issue takes the bisscuit and is a full frontal attack on the entire Islamic World.Entitled "Don't mention the Elephant in the Parlourr"
it is supposed to be analysis and is written by one of the regular contriburors. It trots out every tired cliche about the Arab world, the Islamic religion and encourages a type of phobia about a community living amongst our midstt in peacefull Ireland. One would think it won't remain peacefull for long if this article is to be believed. I was just wondering if others have comments about this episode and to encourage people to have a look out and continue to monitor this pulblication and maby try to get some answers from its editor.