Sir, – There has been a succession of recent difficult media interviews for Sinn Féin personalities trying to explain their new migration policy. As this initiative was cobbled together as a response to their electoral problems, their incoherence is not a great surprise. There may be other dynamics at play here. There is a level of homogeneity in the Irish media that is in stark contrast to that found in Britain and America. Up to recently, many media figures conveyed the impression of finding Sinn Féin’s stated worldview congenial. The party was treated with relative leniency. Their spokespeople were given free rein to express outrage and indignation against their opponents, without ever being asked what they might do in any given situation or what their party policy was. In calculating the risks of their lurch across the ideological spectrum, the party may not have factored in the potential effects of a change in attitude from the Irish media. Being questioned with rigour and forcefulness on party policy is for them a novel experience – for which they are obviously ill-prepared. Sinn Féin discomfiture and accusations of rudeness and unfairness will likely increase as they continue their efforts to retrieve their lost votes. – Yours, etc,
NEIL CRONIN,
Mallow,
Co Cork.