“Watch Out! RTE “News”? Censorship breeds ignorance” leaflet from the Repeal Section 31 Campaign. The leaflet is from 1993 . In January 1994 Section 31 of the broadcasting act was not renewed by the then Minister Michael D. Higgins..
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From the 1983 Dublin Central By-Election, caused by the death of George Colley a leaflet from Sinn Fein candidate Christy Burke. Amongst the issues raised in the leaflet are Section 31, Water Rates, TDs Pay and pensions.
A fascinating leaflet this from the Free Speech Legal Fund a group opposed to Section 31 of the broadcasting act.
In 1990 there was a strike at Gateaux and amongst those elected to the strike committee was Sinn Fein member Larry O’Toole. He was banned from speaking on the national airwaves in his role as a Union Official due to his membership of Sinn Fein.
The Free Speech Legal Fund was to fund a case asking the High Court for a judicial review of “RTE’s illegal extension of Section 31”
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Some posters from the Repeal Section 31 Campaign.
Under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act, it was forbidden to broadcast the voice of Sinn Féin members. The Act ran from 1971 until it was lifted by the then Minister for Arts, Culture & the Gaeltacht Michael D. Higgins.
There was a similar law in the UK which was gotten around by using actors voices instead of the interviewees.
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An Anti Section 31 poster from Sinn Fein from the early 80s. Under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act, it was forbidden to broadcast the voice of Sinn Féin members.
Many thanks to the sender.
From the 1994 European Elections a leaflet for Sinn Fein candidate Larry O’Toole. He polled 8,190 votes.
The Election was prior to the First IRA ceasefire in August 1994. O’Toole also mentions Section 31 of the broadcasting act which had been dropped earlier that year.
Irish Election Literature 
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