The young Americans trying to stop Ireland from voting Yes to abortion

The young Americans trying to stop Ireland from voting Yes to abortion

By Kara Fox, CNN
Wed May 23, 2018

Dublin (CNN) Emily Faulkner is in central Dublin, handing out leaflets featuring fetuses in various stages of development, when she's pelted by an egg.

Covered in yolk, she turns to her fiancé, Nathan Berning, who has a GoPro video camera mounted on his chest.

"Did you get that on tape? Is it on, babe? Turn it on," she says.

Continued: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/23/europe/ireland-abortion-referendum-american-campaigners-intl/index.html


Ireland can agree on this: the abortion decision is not up to Mark Zuckerberg

Ireland can agree on this: the abortion decision is not up to Mark Zuckerberg
A lack of regulatory oversight means tech companies could play a significant role in the Irish referendum

Gavin Sheridan
Sun 13 May 2018

Irish voters go to the polls on 25 May to decide whether or not to repeal the eighth amendment to our constitution. Inserted in 1983 this clause gives equal constitutional legal protection to the rights of the unborn child and its mother, and makes it almost impossible to legislate for abortion. Polling suggests the proposed repeal will pass. But the decision is one of the most contentious issues Irish voters have ever faced.

As with the many past Irish referendums, the campaign posters for each side – some of them with graphic imagery – went up first. Posters are a strictly regulated part of campaigns under Irish electoral law. TV and radio advertisements are not allowed.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/13/ireland-abortion-mark-zuckerberg-referendum


Ireland – Referendum advertising rules hit strategies for final fortnight

Referendum advertising rules hit strategies for final fortnight
No side claim Facebook and Google announcements are the result of Yes lobbying

May 12, 2018
Peter Murtagh

“We are here in Dublin with ProtectThe8th this morning. Pray for us! #warroomsessions”, said the Facebook posting by Fuzati, conveying something of a mixture of giddy excitement and determination.

The photo below the message showed an unkempt room in a Georgian house, complete with Adams-style fireplace, a fine plaster ceiling and a pair of large, closed double doors leading into another room.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/referendum-advertising-rules-hit-strategies-for-final-fortnight-1.3492141


Ireland – Facebook will not extend ban to all ads relating to referendum

Facebook will not extend ban to all ads relating to referendum
Social media giant will not follow Google’s lead with wider ban; Twitter says it has not seen any attempts to manipulate platform for purposes of referendum

May 10, 2018
Pat Leahy, Sarah Bardon, Ciara O'Brien

Facebook has said that it does not intend to follow the lead of Google and ban all ads relating to the abortion referendum.

Responding to questions from The Irish Times yesterday, a Facebook spokesman said “at the moment Facebook is not considering extending the ban on foreign ads”.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/facebook-will-not-extend-ban-to-all-ads-relating-to-referendum-1.3491114


Ireland- Google abortion poll advertising ban ‘outrageous’

Google abortion poll advertising ban 'outrageous'

By Christina McSorley, BBC News NI
10 May 2018

Google's decision to ban advertisements related to the upcoming abortion referendum in the Republic of Ireland has been criticised by pro-life campaigners.

The internet giant announced on Wednesday they will "pause all ads" following their recent update on election honesty.

Continued: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44067607


Ireland – Google ad ban delivers major blow to No campaign

Google ad ban delivers major blow to No campaign
Surprise move deprives anti-abortion campaigners of key strategic element
May 10, 2018
Pat Leahy

Google’s decision to ban all ads related to the abortion referendum has been welcomed by repeal campaigners but sharply criticised by the No campaign, which called the move “scandalous” and “an attempt to rig the referendum”.

Google’s surprise move to ban all ads comes a day after Facebook said it would ban all online ads about the referendum from foreign sources. The Google decision goes much further, and deprives anti-abortion campaigners of a key element of their strategy for the final two weeks of the campaign.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/google-ad-ban-delivers-major-blow-to-no-campaign-1.3489623


Google bans Irish abortion referendum adverts

Google bans Irish abortion referendum adverts
Decision two weeks before polling day comes amid fears that overseas organisations are targeting voters

Jim Waterson, Media editor
Wed 9 May 2018

Google has banned all adverts relating to the Irish abortion referendum from its platform, amid fears of overseas organisations taking advantage of loopholes in campaign funding laws to target voters before polling day.

The decision will mean an end to advertisements relating to the referendum appearing alongside Google results and on YouTube during the final fortnight of the campaign.

continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/google-bans-irish-abortion-referendum-adverts