Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

BACKGROUND:
Ireland has experienced a dramatic economic
transformation since its accession to the EU in 1973. Prior
to its accession to the EU, Ireland was a largely agricultural
society; Ireland has undergone sweeping reforms and has
developed a modern, technologically advanced economy. 1
Highlights of its EU membership include rapid progress in
both agricultural and industrial capacities, as well as the
strengthening of economic ties with countries both within
and outside of the EU. 2 Ireland averaged 6% GDP growth
between 1995 and 2007, but the world financial crisis had
a profoundly detrimental effect on the country’s economy.
Ireland entered its first recession in over a decade in 2008.
As a result, Ireland’s GDP suffered severely, falling 3% in
2008, and subsequently, decreasing by nearly 8% and 1 %
in 2009 and 2010 respectively. These setbacks culminated
in Ireland receiving a $112 billion loan package from the
EU and the IMF. 3 Ireland, along with Greece and Portugal,
are the only 3 EU countries to have received formal bailouts
from the EU. 4
MEDIA SOURCES:
The Irish Independent
www.independent.ie
The Irish Independent is Ireland’s largest selling daily
newspaper with a daily circulation of 181,000 copies that
espouses a centre-right and populist political and social
bias. 5 Owned by the Independent News and Media conglomerate,
the Irish Independent has been accused of having
an “unhealthy dominance” of the Irish newspaper market.
The website includes substantial regional and national content.
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