For a robust people in an argumentative trade, it sometimes seems that Irish journalists are almost apologetic in defence of their values - even when they are under attack by those who have nothing better to offer than self-interest and cynicism.
For several weeks now we have listened to critics of this newspaper and RT╔ as they seized opportunities presented by financial difficulties to demonstrate their hostility to ideas of public service in any shape or form. These critics, whether journalistic, commercial or political, choose to ignore the contributions to Irish life of which print or broadcast media are capable; in their eyes, the only values worth embracing are those of the marketplace.
Even when these critics join in demands for openness and accountability, it's almost invariably with destructive intent. When they argue about definitions of poverty or welfare - or quibble with claims of public interest - you can be sure the intention is not to clarify but to confuse. Among the most dispiriting features of public life these days is the way in which such critics in the O'Reilly camp are intent, not only on silencing the opposition and reducing debate to abuse, but on promoting their master's commercial interests under cover of comment.
The cynicism that seeps through much of the Sunday Independent and Sunday Tribune has a corrosive effect on standards all round. So the cute hoor is valued for his stroke, even at the expense of the poorest of the poor; language is mauled beyond recognition and consistency isn't even considered an optional extra. But there are exceptions, both acute and honourable, among our colleagues in Middle Abbey Street and, for once, there was a modestly optimistic note from Leinster House.
This week a delegation from the National Union of Journalists met politicians engaged in a study of the European Convention on Human Rights. The delegation - Mary Maher, SΘamus Dooley, Ronan Brady and Michael Foley - found a seriously inclined audience that included Sean Ardagh, Brendan Howlin, Jan O'Sullivan, Monica Barnes, Alan Shatter, Marion Magennis and Frances Fitzgerald.
The committee is hearing submissions on the incorporation of the convention into law. The union delegation was there to underline the importance of article 10: a statement of freedom of expression boldly and positively asserted - not, as in the Constitution's article on free speech, almost an afterthought surrounded by a hedge of ifs and buts.
In its submission, the union pointed out that a significant level of corruption had been tolerated in the higher echelons of society for many years partly because journalism had been hamstrung by Constitution and laws. The union would have the convention incorporated in the Constitution by an amending referendum; by the passage of a Bill giving the convention the force of law, or by the introduction of a Bill granting media legislation here the same standing as corresponding legislation in Britain.
Committee members gave the delegation a sympathetic hearing by all accounts and wished The Irish Times and RT╔ well. But much more needs to be said and done before we can feel that the national broadcaster and media are secure. If diversity of opinion is central to democracy - and it is - then concentration of ownership is its enemy. We have yet to see that the Government understands that.
Indeed, its attitude to evidence of woeful social conditions is often abominable. This week, for instance, Padraig O'Morain reported here on the plight of migrants. He wrote: "Normal standards of human decency appear to have been abandoned in our treatment of asylum-seekers and their children . . .
"If a parent did to any other child what the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform does to the children of asylum-seekers, the social workers would be called in." A report on the mean-spirited system was prepared by the Irish Refugee Council and funded by the Combat Poverty Agency.
Bertie Ahern was asked about this state of affairs by Ruair∅ Quinn and Michael Noonan in the Dβil. He waffled a lot, said: "You can always take samples and come up with figures", announced that the State spent "in excess of £150 million (€190.5) on these provisions" and waffled on about how "unfair and unjustifiable" it all was.
"We should be proud of the liberal attitude taken by this country rather than be running around trying to highlight cases in order to show up a different position," he said.
Earlier he had made his own preferences a little clearer when he complained that even in an enlarged Community, Ireland would have the worst sports services in the EU. John Gormley interrupted: "And the worst health services." "Ah, no," said Ahern, "the best." If only it were as simple as scoring a point.
Which was what Charlie McCreevy was doing deep in another corner of the forest where, to use his own expression, he was "facing the realism". "I have always believed," he said, "that when you have the money you should spend it and when you haven't you should stop - as many institutions in this town have found out."
Well, isn't Kildare wit a great thing. His officials, who had probably been celebrating the amnesty that dare not speak its name, enjoyed it anyway.
dwalsh@irish-times.ie