Africa Article May Spark Investigation

The Garda is to be asked to investigate if an article on the plight of Africa breaches Ireland's laws on incitement to hatred.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) are planning an official complaint to Garda about the publication of what it considers to be a racially offensive article in The Irish Independent, last Thursday.

The article 'Africa is giving nothing to anyone – apart from AIDS', is said to be a damning criticism of the world's approach to the problems still faced by Africa since the ground-breaking Band Aid fund-raising campaign in 1988.

However, the ICI believe the story breached section 2 of the Incitement to Hatred Act which says it is an offence to publish or distribute written material if it is threatening, abusive or insulting and intended to, or is likely to, stir up hatred.

Chief Executive of ICI Denise Charlton said: "We believe the published article does not just overstep the boundary of common decency – it triple jumps right past that – but it also crosses the legal boundaries.

"The issue at stake here has nothing to do with freedom of speech or expression. It is about respect for, and the upholding of, Ireland's laws.

"Journalism, like any other profession, operates within the framework of the rule of law in Ireland," she said.

A complaint is expected to be lodged with An Garda Síochána on Monday and in addition, the ICI will lodge an official complaint about the article with the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism.

(DW)