#252 Who Are The Right Wing?

In this episode of the show, host Niall Boylan engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Ian O'Doherty, a journalist from the Irish Independent, and Ben Scallan from Gript Media, about the contentious labeling of political commentators and protestors in Coolock as far right. This conversation arises amidst recent death threats received by politicians in Ireland, prompting a deeper exploration of how such labels impact public debate and perception.

Boylan emphasizes that threats of harm or death towards any politician are unequivocally unacceptable in any society. He references recent news reports that cited the tragic case of Joe Frost, a British politician murdered in the UK, and the fears among Irish politicians that similar violence could occur in Ireland due to the rise of the far right. However, Boylan points out the omission of the murder of Sir David Amess, a British Conservative politician, in these discussions. He also brings attention to the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump by an individual who frequently used divisive language, highlighting that such threats are not exclusive to one political spectrum.

The episode delves into the current political climate, where language temperature has been called to be lowered in the US, acknowledging that both the left and right have contributed to the divisive rhetoric. Boylan and his guests discuss the portrayal of right-wing and far-right ideologies in the media, particularly in the context of the Coolock protests. They question why right-of-center views are often stigmatized, while left-of-center positions are considered the default.

The conversation also addresses the lack of discourse on the far left and the potential threats they may pose. Boylan shares his personal experience of being threatened, defamed, slandered, and mocked online during an election campaign, noting that much of the abuse came from NGOs and leftist politicians, who are usually quick to condemn hate speech and far-right language.

Through this episode, Boylan, O'Doherty, and Scallan aim to unravel the complexities of political labeling, the implications for public discourse, and the need for a balanced understanding of threats from all sides of the political spectrum.