"I'm not sure of any other examples of television having as large a societal impact as toppling the Catholic Church's influence over the country." The comments

"I'm not sure of any other examples of television having as large a societal impact as toppling the Catholic Church's influence over the country." The comments that veteran reporters and producers made on the New Year Eve's RTE show were quite enlightening in that regard. The phrase which stuck in my mind was "fighting the bishops" to get RTE and its shows on air. They also spoke of the "fear" from politicians and the Church. It was clear that they all knew from the outset how powerful TV would be and what an opinion shaper it could be.