Regional newspapers thanked by President for significant contribution to Irish society

"MeathNEWSPAPER editors from around the country were publicly thanked by President Mary McAleese at a reception last week in Aras an Uachtarian to recognise the significant contribution of media and journalism to Irish society.

The President said all public figures have their good days and bad days with the media and vice versa. "The tensions in such relationships are part of the necessary and healthy checks and balances in a democratic society. Neither is infallible and all are human. Mostly our intentions are good," she said. 

"We all like to be thanked and today I thank you for all you have done these past 10 years to inform, challenge, analyse and educate the public and me about this presidency, along with all the other important stuff that only gets onto people's agendas or into their hearts and heads because you managed to put it there."

Mrs McAleese said journalists have been the eyes and ears of the people who elected her. "While never falsely deferential and sometimes harshly critical, in the best tradition of our republic of equals, they have almost invariably been unfailingly courteous and respectful of the Office of President, something I am proud of."

She said it was often not easy to be the watcher, the observer, the eyewitness, often the outsider at a gathering, the person who has to meet the deadline and compete with colleagues for relevance and space.

"No doubt there will be many paragraphs and musings provoked by this anniversary.  But whatever the verdict, here is mine on those who told the stories, whether in local papers and radio or national press and radio and television - a job well done and much appreciated, not just by me but by thousands of readers, listeners and viewers who are interested in how they are represented and who, like me, need you to keep open the lines of communication," Mrs McAleese said.

She also expressed her good wishes to the new Press Council and Office of the Press Ombudsman which comes into being in January.