Issue 122 of Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly featured a cover on Ireland. From around the country, sellers report that it was one of the best received in some time. When you look at the mass media reporting of Irish politics, the reasons why this issue of was so popular become more clear.
The mass media consistently portray the conflict in Ireland as some kind of irreconcilable religious feud. The role of successive British governments in escalating the violence, the refusal of the British government to negotiate with all parties and the censorship of the views of Irish Republicans from the British media, are rarely mentioned. Only Â鶹´«Ã½ has taken a different stance.
Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly has consistently reported the "other side" of the conflict, giving voice to those not often heard in the monopolised Australian media. As a result, Â鶹´«Ã½ has won a following among those who want to know the whole story of what goes on in Ireland.
In Adelaide, for instance, more than 50 papers were sold in a three-hour stint at the local markets. In Sydney, Â鶹´«Ã½ was snapped up by those at an Australian Aid for Ireland Christmas party, at concerts, and at workplaces.
That issue was also popular on the streets. One distributor reported selling 15 papers in 10 minutes at one Sydney suburban railway station. Similar reports were not uncommon.
Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly consistently presents the alternative. It was the first Australian newspaper to present Sinn Fein's peace proposals in a serious way.
Â鶹´«Ã½ doesn't always have the resources to cover everything we'd like to. But on the important political issues, it hits the mark much better than the establishment media. Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly — it's your paper.