𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁? Here's what's behind that question. The Irish Government has set up a €14 million media fund for 2026 to 2028. It's run by Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland's state media regulator, and part of it pays... for journalism, with a stated priority for reporting that "supports shared understanding across the island". Media here in Northern Ireland can apply through cross-border projects. So one government, with one constitutional objective for this place, is now a funder of the journalism that reports on it. At a time when our local press is under real financial pressure. This isn't a criticism of any journalist, and cross-border reporting is a normal part of life on this island. It's about what happens to public trust. In a divided society, perception is everything. A press trusted by one community and suspected by the other serves neither. Cooperation, yes. But we see your stealth tactics.show more

@Diana_uup The BBC is paid for with public money. And is very much subject to government manipulation. Take the plank out of your own eye, lads.

@Diana_uup That's the woman who called us fenian scum! Stay classy Diana.

@Diana_uup You people offer nothing to Republicans/Nationalists in your 'new' 'ni'

@Diana_uup Dear God. An absolute whopper from the UUP.

@Diana_uup No I would not. No self respecting news outlets would accept government bribes, never mind s foreign government. Their credibility will be torn to shreds in the public square. The outlet, that journalist, becomes the Story. That's rarely good.

Not to correct you, but it's not just cross-border initiatives like the Shared Island Initiative for which grant applications closed during the summer. Coimisiun na Mean is ALREADY funding Mairtin O'Muilleoir's Belfast Media Group (including Andersonstown News, South Belfast News, North Belfast News) with its standard news reporting & solutions news reporting schemes, around €140,000 so far in 2026.

@Diana_uup Bit of a nothing burger when most news entities here are owned and controlled by non-UK companies anyway. And I include the BBC in that. We see you Jon.

@Diana_uup Not just Coimisiun na Mean, but the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs is funding FactcheckNI and a host of NI NGOs, some of which are controversial. And of course Feile An Phobail...

@Diana_uup Would you trust your roads if they're funded by the Irish government? Theyve protestant identifying number plate readers.

@Diana_uup "supports shared understanding across the island" Yeah. Fck that. Let's just keep sectarianism for another 100 years.

@Diana_uup This Diana Armstrong 👇

@Diana_uup Certainly wouldn't trust anything from a party run by a attention seeking sicknote RUC officer

@Diana_uup Utterly pathetic, 'taigs under the bed' bigotry.

@Diana_uup I have consistently voted for your party in South Antrim to keep DUP out. Bile like this since @JonBurrowsMLA took over means I won’t be voting for you again

@Diana_uup Stupid cunt who lost an election to a SF candidate that wasn’t even from the constituency.

@Diana_uup Since RTE is a state broadcaster and Article 3.1 of the Irish constitution compels this state to a united Ireland. And that RTE is then not impartial - both via 3.1 and RTE employee demographics. That RTE broadcasting UI propaganda into NI is foreign election interference.

@Diana_uup Cant wait for unity and all the unionist politicans will be out of a job

@Diana_uup Don't worry lads, it's probably money to attack SF, you're grand.

@Diana_uup The sad thing is the Irish government is so weak they won’t stand up to this bunch of cumbuckets

@Diana_uup No Surrender! Harrumph!

@Diana_uup Lolz

@Diana_uup Most news is now broadcast online, who would trust anything that they read as being the whole truth regardless of where the funding is derived from.

@Diana_uup Wow!! She is against “shared understanding”. “Stealth tactics” is an outrageous & outdated catcall. The British govt support multiple media outlets. Disheartened this thinking still exists. Both govts are bound by the GFA, including the principle of consent. She’s recalcitrant.

@Diana_uup The TV Fermanagh & south tyrone MP lol self declared I might add lol

@Diana_uup Utter nonsense.

@Diana_uup A the boogey man.

@Diana_uup When was it BBBCNI reported the British army murdered civil rights marchers in Derry 1972? When was it BBCNI reported the British army planted nail bombs on Gerald Donaghey? Wearing skin tight denim When did the UUP do either?

@Diana_uup 😂😂😂, Desperation

@Diana_uup This is the culture war Bryson wants ,seen over by Diana, and Jon both unelected conmen.

@Diana_uup

@Diana_uup 2/ The archive copy of the article here is well worth Reading.

@Diana_uup

@Diana_uup