Campbell: Media can be '˜pain in the neck'

DUP MP Gregory Campbell believes the media can be 'exceptionally unfair' and do not always bring 'balance or equity' to public debate.

The East Derry MP was speaking at Westminster where he agreed with the Conservative MP for Dudley South, Mike Wood’s, view that the fourth estate can sometimes be a “pain in the neck”.

Mr. Wood commented: “The relationship between politicians and the media ought to be uneasy.

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“It is safe to say that the press and the media more broadly can be something of a pain in the neck.

“On occasions, that sensation may be felt in an area a little lower down, and I know that from personal experience.”

Mr. Campbell agreed and said it was one of the reasons why he has sometimes been a vocal critic of various media outlets in the past.

“The hon. Gentleman says that some sections of the media can be a pain in the neck. No one should take ​exception to that. Setting aside any pains anywhere, the problem many of us have is that on occasions some sections of the media are exceptionally unfair,” he said.

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“They do not seek balance and they do not seek equity in terms of the various parts of any debate.

“That is why many of us have a problem, particularly with the broadcast media, including certain sections that we pay for,” said the East Derry DUP MP.