Opinion
11 Oct 17

Hot Press Repeal the 8th Podcast Episode 3

Having been part of the struggle for women’s rights since its inception 40 years ago, Hot Press has launched a new podcast, which will take a detailed and informative look at what repealing the 8th Amendment will mean for this country.

And here is the news..
Hot Press has now launched the third instalment of a new podcast, dedicated to Repealing the 8th Amendment featuring an interview with Senator Ivana Bacik who has fought for women's reproductive rights, perhaps most notably when, as President of Trinity College Student's Union, she distributed information on accessing terminations through the fresher's handbook.

Beginning in the slipstream of the largest ever March For Choice, each episode of
Repeal the 8th: A Hot Press Podcast will feature a range of voices – and cover every aspect of the debate surrounding the upcoming referendum. The podcast, which is hosted by Hot Press’ Claire O’Gorman (who also broadcasts on Phoenix FM), will include discussions and debates with various activists, experts and dissenters in the campaign, and will aim to provide a clearer view of what’s at stake when Ireland heads to the polls next May or June. .
“I have written about Repealing the 8th in the new issue of Hot Press,” editor Niall Stokes says. “For me, it is about trusting women. They are the ones that have to deal with crisis pregnancies. They are entitled to do this, when they arise, without the heavy hand of the State coercing them in one way or another. They will make the best possible decisions they can, in what are often very difficult and sometimes harrowing circumstances. What they need, more than anything, is support and understanding.”

Over the years, Hot Press’ views have often been considered controversial, or even scandalous, because they ran contrary to the outlook of the Irish ruling establishment of the time.

Now, in the lead up to another nation-defining referendum, we want to inform people what repealing the 8th will mean for woman all over the country – and what it could mean for us as a progressive, open-minded, and fairer society.
“I suspect that it is going to be a long and difficult journey,” Niall Stokes adds, “towards the ultimate goal: a country in which freedom, choice, mutual respect, generosity of spirit, tolerance, kindness and love prevail. That is what the campaign to Repeal the 8th is ultimately about.”