Brendan Gleeson discusses the importance non-partisan media and fake news
Speaking on Sunday With Miriam, The Guard actor stressed that the only matter he is associated with is the fundraising for St. Francis Hospice in Raheny, Dublin.
The Harry Potter actor discussing the state of play in the US observed: "One of the things I have noticed in America is the divisiveness. I really hope we can fight it here. I think we have so far but it's really important that RTÉ stays as an honest broker.
"It was something that I wanted to say about that thing where people are spreading lies like AI, now, like I was saying this, my voice wasn't right, but in that kind of Facebook thing, anything can be passed off as fact now. It's really really worrying and I think the money is one thing, and you know, there was a fat that had to be sort of trimmed and stuff in RTÉ but the idea that we actually have essentially an honest broker and if they are not, they can be held to account it is really really important," The In Bruges actor added.
The Calvary actor said "Don't let the commercial end of things run away with this. It's much more important that we have somewhere to go where we can have a public forum and talk about things that are important to the nation as a whole, no matter what different sides of the political spectrum and that we don't get divided like America."
"It's not nice in America at the moment. People cannot talk to each other in a way being reasonable without all the time being goaded. Americans are lovely as a broad sweep of people. How they are at each other's throats like this has been orchestrated and some of it unfortunate with algorithms and some of it orchestrated. We need to stop it now here, as what we have here is precious." The Banshees of Inisherin' actor added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Derry Fleming: 'Losing three friends to cancer made me realise you have to live while you can'
Comedy duo and proud Irish men, Tadhg and Derry Fleming, have a family holiday to New York booked, and will be waving the tri colour, supporting Katie Taylor in her upcoming fight next month. If their last trips to Vegas, Nashville and Japan are anything to go by, we'll be in for a treat on social media. Tadhg will be delivering another best man speech in August for his cousin, with whom he won Ireland's Fittest Family. Derry's wardrobe is overflowing and the dogs have Tadhg's daughter Rae all set for her new role as big sister. The pair are known on TikTok since their hilarious 'Catch him, Derry' bat video went viral. Though Derry winces at being called an influencer, claiming to 'barely know how to use TikTok'. Tadhg insists, 'Don't mind him he loves it. He has more dresses than Broadway at this stage, and loves coming up with new ideas.' Tadhg jokes that his father was fired from his day job, but Derry assumes a more serious tone for a moment, telling how he retired from the job he loved at the credit union. The loss of 'three comrades' to cancer, he says, shifted everything. Their passing was a wake-up-call, a painful reminder that life is very fragile. 'It made me realise, you have to live while you can, day to day.' Each of his former colleagues, whom he so affectionately calls his 'comrades', sadly lost their battle with cancer aged only 57, 47 and 41. The sobering tone is not what we're used to from Derry. 'Losing three friends, who were far too young, really made me think. Especially the 41-year-old. 'I'm at retiring age anyway but after that it was definitely time to go.' Tadhg then lightens the tone, telling me they love what they do, and are just 'winging it'. He describes their comedy as 'pure Irish. It's like sitting in someone's front room, chatting about the mad stuff that happens in everyday life. It's familiar, it's real, like the clip of the aul lad giving out to his son about the driving test. People like the honesty.' And these two are definitely that. Life is now remarkably different for both Kerrymen, and it changed almost overnight. 'It was mad, we never could have expected it,' says Tadhg. Before things went bat crazy and their lives completely derailed, he had 'taken the scenic route' through college. Then spent ten years working in social media for businesses. It had been a solid career, though a far cry from what they are involved in now. Derry admits he is still in awe of the phenomenal response they've received. Now with millions of views and a loyal following, he describes the whole thing as mind blowing. While life may have changed overnight, Tadhg had actually been 'plugging away at material on Facebook and Vine for about ten years previous.' Tadhg Fleming and Alannah Bradley with their dogs Otis and Boo. Pictures: Black Diamond Photography It's definitely been a whirlwind - and it's about to get even busier, with baby number two on the way for Tadhg. Still, taking it in his stride, he's confident Rae, the apple of his eye, will adjust just fine to becoming a big sister. 'She's already used to the dogs,' he laughs. He's gushing, though, when he adds 'it'll be chaos but I wouldn't change it for the world.' Fatherhood is something he clearly cherishes. Rae, who turned one in May, makes occasional appearances on his Instagram, usually to document a milestone or share a heartwarming moment. His video of Rae, perched proudly on his wife Alannah's childhood horse, having her first riding lesson, was adorable. There are snapshots of her flashing a gummy smile when her first tooth came through, and a video that melted hearts: her very first steps, wobbly but determined, as she made a beeline for him. His captions strike the perfect balance of doting dad and playful banter. He's dubbed her 'troublemaker' and 'Mischief Queen' in his hashtags. Small glimpses into his life away from the camera has resonated with their audience just as much as their comedy. They're just a normal family. Hannah O' Riordan and Olaf Sorenson from Ballinora Scouts Group, joined by TikTok sensations Tadhg and Derry Fleming, as they celebrate being awarded €2,000 from Re-turn. Last week, the lads took to the road to visit all ten finalists of the Re-turn Scheme: Small Town, Big Difference, 'and no better buachaills'. They brought their trademark energy and humour along the way. The banter was flowing in the car as they documented their journey on social media stories, much to the delight of their fans. Indeed, Tadhg's easy rapport with children was on full display during a football session with Buncrana Hearts Football Club. Derry joked after: 'they really put this fella through his paces. It was like he'd been sitting in a sauna. There was sweat dripping off him.' Tadhg however insists he fully intends to lace up his boots again in a few years, when he thanked the Meath Camogie Senior Ladies for 'Rae's first hurl.' As I interviewed the lads on the phone while they travelled, their genuine enthusiasm was clear. They were thrilled to be using their platform to shine a light on community-led initiatives across Ireland. They often share GoFundMe pages and other worthy causes on their social media. Derry was especially moved when they stopped by Carrigaline Special School in Cork, for young people with autism. 'There were kids aged 4-18, watching the interaction and how they learn life skills and claim independence was uplifting. Great bunch of kids!' 'Irish people are storytellers,' Derry says. 'Getting out and meeting people is what it's all about. It's an education for us, learning about these great projects. Seeing communities come together benefits us all. That spirit of community, the social interaction, is what I love about my shop' he tells me. 'Derry's Purties' is a knickknack haven in county Kerry. When I told them I'd love a root around the shop myself, Tadhg jumped in with: 'It's Aladdin's cave, if you go in, you won't get out!' Derry quipped back at him, 'you're barred!' Even over the phone, their signature wit shines through. As our conversation wrapped up, Tadhg couldn't resist one last shout: 'Kerry for the All Ireland!' (Though, as I speak with them from a coffee shop in Mayo, I quickly lower my phone volume.) After visiting Ballinora Scouts Group last week, they'll be well able to pitch a tent if they run into bother with accommodation in New York. Aoife O' Riordan, Ryan McDonnell, Luca Busst and Penny Sorenson from Ballinora Scouts Group, joined by TikTok sensations Tadhg and Derry Fleming, as they celebrate being awarded €2,000 from Re-turn. The Re-turn Scheme: Small Town, Big Difference is a campaign to highlight initiatives across Ireland that are using the Deposit Return Scheme to fundraise for their local community initiatives. People were asked to share their stories. An overwhelming 340 entries were received, from which were selected the ten finalists Tadhg and Derry visited.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Denise Richards' husband Aaron Phypers files for divorce after 6 years together
DENISE Richards' husband, Aaron Phypers, has filed for divorce. He cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for breaking up their marriage after six years together. 1 Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers at Watch What Happens Live! on June 11, 2019 Phypers and Richards separated on July 4, court documents said, according to Neither Richards nor Phypers has spoken publicly about the split yet. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Philip Boucher-Hayes says there are ‘five wannabes' in running to become Liveline host, ‘myself included'
The presenter, who is currently filling in on the show since Joe Duffy's departure from the station last month, joked that Montrose bosses were putting the five contenders 'through their paces' as they vie for the role. He told listeners: "For the avoidance of further confusion, let us set it out once again: RTÉ has not made a decision on this. "There are five wannabes, myself included; in fact probably a hell of a lot more than five wannabes, but there are five wannabes being put through their paces on air before RTÉ makes a decision. 'After that, we will move to the swimwear and ball gown elements of the competition. I think I've got that section nailed down. I want to though, because in the final round is the Hunger Games, they will be placing a big cache of non-lethal weapons under the RTÉ mast and letting us all race to them, grab your preferred weapon and have at it. 'And everybody is hoping, by that stage of the competition, that Sarah McInerney has been taken out because she is very handy with the nunchucks, but the news is no decision made. "Well, maybe they have made a decision after my first week in the chair. But let's leave that aside there is officially no decision made, so on with the show.' Other frontrunners rumoured to be taking over the gig include Sarah McInerney's Drivetime co-host Cormac Ó hEadhra, regular Liveline stand-in, Katie Hannon, and Saturday show presenter, Colm O'Mongáin, Boucher-Hayes is filling in on show for two weeks, and admitted it was a 'daunting' position to fill. In his first show, after Duffy's retirement, the Countrywide presenter urged Liveline listeners to be 'kind' while the permanent host of the show is being decided. He said: "This is actually quite daunting, but Philip, just get on with it and get to the calls, because nothing else has changed about this programme. The number is the same, the production team is the same.' "Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Philip Boucher Hayes. Be kind people,' he added. Joe Duffy retired at the end of June, after being at the helm of the show for 27 years. An audience was present in RTÉ Studio 1 for his final Liveline show, including past callers and former colleagues. In his final sign off, he said: 'Slán go foill. That's all from me from Liveline. Love you all, it's been a privilege. It's been a privilege." Kildare-born Boucher-Hayes lives in Wicklow with Suzanne and their two daughters. He presents Countrywide on Saturday mornings and the Hot Mess podcast, both on RTÉ Radio One. His television work includes Rising Tides, Hot Air and Future Shock: The Last Drop on RTÉ.
