Wednesday September 10, 2008
Story may be a ruse to attempt to kill media reports of hunger strike
RTE and other media outlets are reporting that the Shell pipe laying ship is to leave Broadhaven Bay within 48 hours. Some journalists are speculating that the ship's captain has had a crisis of conscience and has left the area in response to the hunger strike, but Shell's statement claims the move is in response to damage to the ship's equipment. In situations like this, it is usual that false claims are made, and even deals are agreed to, purely to diffuse the situation.
RTE and other media outlets are reporting that the Shell pipe laying ship is to leave Broadhaven Bay within 48 hours. Some journalists are speculating that the ship's captain has had a crisis of conscience and has left the area in response to the hunger strike, but Shell's statement claims the move is in response to damage to the ship's equipment. In situations like this, it is usual that false claims are made, and even deals are agreed to, purely to diffuse the situation.
Campaigners remember the lies that were told to Tara campaigners who had tunneled under the roadworks at the ancient site recently. Readers with longer memories will know that in previous hunger strike situations, media outlets have been used to spread misinformation. It is likely that Shell is trying to manage the media coverage of the situation, and a tactical withdrawal at this stage might suit them, since the campaign is going to find it hard to keep the attention of a fickle media when the novelty of the current situation has worn off. It is not clear from Shell's statement why it will take them 48 hours to move a ship back to the Donegal coast, since it can make the trip in a matter of a few hours under normal conditions. rte report here: www.rte.ie/news/2008/0910/corrib.html
