Richard Behal in Court November 25 Killarney - after 24 year refusal to buy TV licence
national |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report 
Tuesday November 18, 2008 01:05
by Andrew Gilchrist - Richard Behal Support Group
richard.behal at gmail dot com
68 Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Co Kerry
087 4100691- 064 32723
Former Sinn Fein candidate censored in 1984 European elections
Richard Behal was a candidate for Sinn Fein in 1984 European Election in Munster. This was an international election. He was prevented from appearing on RTE, due to a Ministerial Order under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act. His policies were misrepresented by RTE on a special Munster constituency programme, which gave the other eight candidates extended airtime.
At the end the programme purported to give the audience a very brief summary of Behal’s platform, but misrepresented it. He was never contacted by RTE.
This action, primarily by the Irish state but also as aided and abetted by RTE, was a denial of democracy and of Behal and Sinn Fein’s right to put policies to the electorate on the most important medium of public opinion. Despite this, Behal received nearly 13,000 first preference votes. How different things might have been had a democratic election been held.
After that experience Behal publicly refused to buy a television licence. Before and during the election he had one - see copy below.
Behal served 15 days in Cork Jail in 2005 on foot of his refusal on principle to pay a fine imposed by the courts for not having a TV licence. He has been convicted again in 2007, and presently is facing and preparing to appeal another Circuit Court conviction in Killarney on November 25. This is a personal decision, but an important one in defence of the principle of free speech. Media self-censorship continues to the present day. It affects reporting the north and campaigning groups.
Behal will consent to buying a licence when:
He receives a proper apology and acknowledgment from the Irish state that it undermined the principle of informed consent by banning him from appearing on RTE during the 1984 European election - contrary to Section 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
He receives from RTE an acknowledgement and apology for their censorship and misrepresentation of his policies under their draconian and illegal interpretation of Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act.
Behal states:
I am taking this stance in defence of freedom of speech and democracy. This was a direct interference in an election. The censorship of that era prolonged violence by disaffecting many from the political process. It also poisoned media practice up to and including the present day.
I have maintained my stance over the years. While I am prepared to face the consequences, I invite those working or writing in, or commenting on, the media to assist this campaign by supporting my two demands.
Individuals and organisations can support me by email and/or by standing for freedom of speech in Killarney on November 25.
Richard Behal
richard.behal@gmail.com
087 4100691 (preferred), 064 32723
Support Richard by Email
Show your solidarity at Killarney Courthouse 25 November 2008
Support Freedom of Speech - Oppose Censorship
This happened the last time Richard Behal was on RTE in 1968 - the British Ambassador complained bitterly
Behal and seven of the other eight candidates - he was censored, they were not
Behal bought TV licence every year to 1985
PDF version of Behal statement - Please print/forward/post-up as necessary
0.18 Mb
Comments (17 of 17)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Behal caught up with this boat, HMS Brave Borderer, off Waterford in 1966. It made quite a splash at the time, after Behal holed it.
Fast British PAtrol Boat 'Brave Borderer' - not fast enough for Richard Behal in 1966
That was 1965 and his colleagues went "bloody bananas" because of what he had done.
He has a point about Section 3,1 besides television licenses are a joke these days considering the amount of ads on RTE.
If RTE had their way they would bring back the Wireless License.
Because of RTE's blatently pro EU lisbon referendum stance. They have been strongly pushing in their coverage for a second referendum to bully the people into reversing their vote a few months ago voting yes. They are supposed to be a state service but are definitely not impartial. All independent indymedia activists should fefuse to pay their rotten licence fee, and dont forget they are raking in big bucks on advvertising revenue as well as the licence.
You are banned, and now we plan to misrepresent you - what RTE did not say, they did.
You are a banned person in this election - RTE's message to Richard Behal in 1984
Every year I get a threatening letter from the licensing authority about not having a TV license. Every year I reply telling them that as I don't have a TV, would not be interested in having one, even if they gave it to me and would only give it away if they did; because I don't happen to like the energy that they give off. Why should I buy a license for something I don't have ?
I never receive an apology for their false accusation, because I don't believe anyone reads my replies or perhaps they are just to dumb to understand plain English.
Television is an intrusion into the home and constant watching of their programmes allows the watcher to be slowly brain washed by commerce into wasting money on frivolous items.
As for RTE they can't even run a decent internet news channel, it's always full of old material. Any one of the lads that write on indy could make a better job of the site.
Fair pay to Mr Behal for this jester against state censorship (RTE Authority). I dont watch TV as its like being a sheep lock in a pen eating rotting straw.
Its some situation where you are a criminal if you don't choose to be a television spectator
STOP PRESS - case moved 20 miles to Tralee and then 45 miles to Kenmare without notice to defendant
Statement form Richard Behal:
Richard Behal
richard.behal@gmail.com
087 4100691, 064 32723
Due to the change of venue not notified to Richard Behal in good time, the Judge agreed to Richard Behal's proposal that the case be deferred. The appeal against Behal’s conviction for non-possession of a television licence will be heard on February 1 2009.
Good luck to you in your on going crusade and remember ''Justice Should Never Have Time Constraints ''
I ought to know.................
Just like old times - Richard Behal in court and on television
Richard Behal back in Court 11 may 2010 - Killarney, Co Kerry
Behal in the 60s - TG4 tonight (a)
Behal in the 60s - TG4 tonight (b)
British Ambassador complains about Richard Behal on RTE Late Late Show with Gay Byrne - April 1968 - 42 years ago
Didn't hear Richard on RTE radio promoting the programme !!??
Maybe different rules operate now - I'd hate to think he was censored.
Good luck Richard
I can pick up television stations on my iPhone.
RTE have decided not to demand TV licences from smartphone users.
The trouble is.
My iPhone is "A television reception apparatus" as defined in the law.
RTE are breaking the law when they refuse to demand a licence from me.
.
Everybody in the country can refuse to pay their TV licence when RTE refuses to collect TV licences from iPhone owners.
.
Why should any one have to pay for a TV license? After all, when you pruchased your TV, they'r e was no notice to say that you had to buy one or even that is law. I too have never held a TV license and never shall. AnPost have not heard all the excuses, because they have never brought me to court for not having one. I give great excuses at the door..........."no, thats me, goodnight"....... "Do I have to purchase a televison if I but TV license stamps?"...............I've had enough of fear mongering from the elite who run my country and profit at our expense. Ireland is a free country.
Watch TG4 programme on Richard Behal prison escape here:
http://beo.tg4.ie/main.aspx?level=&content=82002226177&...Behal
PART 2 Watch TG4 programme on Richard Behal prison escape here:
http://beo.tg4.ie/main.aspx?level=&content=82024721409&...Behal
Back in Court - today in Killarney Court House - will they send this anti-censorship protester to jail.
See info above.
Richard Behal statement - CLICK to READ
Court notice - CLICK to READ
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