Pat O'Mahony

[patomahony1]

That small word ‘trust’ is pivotal in the modern news media. But just because you trust a media outlet isn’t any guarantee that you’re getting the truth.

Every media organisation worth its salt will loudly proclaim their pride in being objective reporters, bringing you the news, the whole news and nothing but the news.

Don’t believe a word of it.

[patomahony1]

I followed news of the Brussels attacks online on radio and on TV. It was no big deal. I suspect for news providers using all available digital tools it is.

I woke yesterday just after 8.00am to catch the tail end of Morning Ireland’s news headlines on RTÉ Radio 1.

So the first I knew of the bombs in Brussels came via old fashioned radio, though it was actually delivered via the relatively new-fangled TuneIn Radio app on a tablet.

Then as I made coffee, further details of the attacks in the Belgian capital came through, not only on radio, but also, on Twitter.

It hit me once again, how not only has the way we consume news changed so dramatically in such a short period of time but so too has how it’s reported.

- See more at: http://www.patomahony.ie/2016/03/read-news-today-oh-boy-off-message-28/#sthash.EJJZ3WGw.dpuf

[patomahony1]

Back in 1990 anyone in Dublin with half a connection to the music business was auditioning for The Commitments. Quite accidentally I almost got a part.

Last year when I wrote here about ending up on the Father Ted cutting floor 20 years ago in 1996 I alluded to nearly getting a role in The Commitments a few years earlier, a story I said I’d keep for another day.

Well, that day has arrived.

[patomahony1]

As a freelancer you get to work on a whole variety of different gigs. Occasionally you're lucky enough to be part of something significant.

It was a very interesting few weeks inside in RTÉ Radio 1, from being part of their reaction to the Berkeley balcony collapse to dealing with John Murray's farewell to his morning programme.

[patomahony1]

10 years on from Reporters At War winning its Emmy, how I hoped it'd help me get to spend some real time in NYC. It didn't. I blame Steven Spielberg. Kinda.

You'd think winning an Emmy would open all kinds of doors in the world of television. It ain't necessarily so.

[patomahony1]

Busy is a good complaint.If you’re a freelancer you’ll know how soul destroying the quiet periods can be. But even busy has its downsides.

It's been a good few years in what can be a hot and cold business, so while I'm not taking it for granted, I know that oddly, this can have its drawbacks.

[patomahony1]

For the past 6 years I’ve participated in DCU’s annual mentorship programme. Here's why, if I’ve passed on even the occasional useful titbit, it's job done.

My media mumble on why working folk should pay it forward with a wee bit of mentoring.

[patomahony1]

How can you be sure your ideas won’t be stolen by those you pitch them to? You can’t. But if you don’t pitch them you definitely won’t get them made.

So you think someone's stolen your great media idea? I’ve been there, worn the t-shirt and in this Off Message post I tell some tales about what - if anything - you can do about it.