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18th May 2018

Award-winning journalist stopped from showing video in Longford school due to ‘Catholic values’

Paul Moore

Shaunagh Connaire

Emmy-nominated but she can’t speak in Longford.

Journalist Shaunagh Connaire has expressed her disappointment after not being able to present a collection of her work to a secondary school in Longford.

The Channel 4 Unreported World journalist was invited to return and speak at her former school – Meán Scoil Mhuire, Longford – to address students.

She was later told that the school would not be showing a video montage of her investigative journalism after, “they cited various reasons for their decision including ‘upholding the CEIST (Catholic Education An Irish Schools’ Trust) values of the school’.”

The Emmy-nominated and duPont Columbia award-winning journalist released the following statement on Facebook: “I was invited to my local convent in Longford to give a talk this evening to students before they embark on their future careers.

“Earlier today, after I’d landed in Ireland, I received a call from my former school to say they wouldn’t show the video montage I put together for the event. It’s a five-minute clip of the documentaries I made with Channel 4 Unreported World over the past few years.”

She adds: “They cited various reasons for their decision including ‘upholding the CEIST (Catholic Education An Irish Schools’ Trust) values of the school’. I’m disappointed to think these young women are not being encouraged to make up their own minds about important issues in our world today and I felt obliged not to take part in the evening as result.

“I’m sharing this clip in the hope that some of those students are on Facebook and might want to watch it. I’d also like to say to those students that you’re more than welcome to reach out to me any time for career advice or life advice in general. Sincere apologies for not being there tonight…”

In a statement that was released to the Longford Leader, Meán Scoil Mhuire said that “due to circumstances beyond our control, guest speaker Shaunagh Connaire was unable to attend” the event.

Here’s Shaunagh’s video in full which features her work featuring the conflict in Sierra Leone, the horrific practice of gay conversion therapy in China, discussing the Eight Amendment in Ireland, Syrian refugees, and a truly heartwarming story from Lebanon about a young boy’s health.

SHANSHAN_SHOW_REEL_V4 (1) from Shaunagh Connaire on Vimeo.