Jack McCarron

Ireland

Multimedia Journalist at RTÉ

Journalist | RTÉ Current Affairs | Email [email protected]

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Articles

In the age of AI, is doubt becoming a political strategy?

6 days ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron

When video footage of French President Emmanuel Macron appearing to have an altercation with his wife Brigitte circulated online last week, the Élysée Palace initially suggested the footage could have been created using AI. The footage was later confirmed to be real. As references to AI become more common in political discourse, what happens when democratic governments begin using it to question the authenticity of real events?
Drawn in by the algorithm: four Irish men share their stories

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron

Online, it's called The Manosphere’: a loose, algorithm-fueled ecosystem of male influencers, forums and podcasts offering young men advice on self-improvement, masculinity, dating, and power. On the surface, it can look like self-help — and for some, it offers a sense of direction, discipline or belonging. But woven through much of this content is a worldview which frames gender relations in adversarial terms and can lead to hostility towards women and progressive ideas.
'The Manosphere': Why some young men turn to negative influencers

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron

Experts Prime Time have spoken to are concerned that perceptions of masculinity held by significant numbers of young men are being shaped and distorted by negative narratives and communities online. Some fear that influencers who promote types of masculinity which involve disparaging or dominating women are connecting with young men who feel disconnected from communities or are struggling to find their place in society.
Fanning flames: How a Donegal fire was used to stoke hate online

3 weeks ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron

At around 4am on Easter Monday morning, a fire tore through Teach Pobail Mhuire, a church in Doirí Beaga, County Donegal, part of the parish of Gaoth Dobhair. Twelve hours later, at around 4pm on the same day, 21 April, an anonymous account on X called Radio Europe posted a dramatic claim to tens of thousands of followers: saying that the church had been set alight by a group of Afghans — a claim entirely unsupported by any evidence.
How 'toxic' rumours and false claims put UN troops at risk

2 months ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron

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How 'toxic' rumours and false claims put UN troops at risk

2 months ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron

Israel's renewed bombardment of Lebanon in recent weeks has once again thrown the presence of Irish peacekeepers in the region into sharp focus. But beyond the dangers of conflict itself, officials who spoke to RTÉ say United Nations (UN) missions now face a rising threat from disinformation. False claims, online propaganda, and orchestrated campaigns have increasingly fueled hostility, eroded trust, and, in some cases, put peacekeepers directly in harm’s way.
All you need to know on the Dáil speaking rights row

2 months ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron |Joe Mag Raollaigh

When the Dáil reconvenes at 2pm on Tuesday, the so-called 'speaking rights' row is expected to reach a boiling point, a full three months on from November’s General Election. It has been regularly on the news agenda for months and massively disrupted the operation of our national parliament, but you would be forgiven for wondering what exactly it comes down to. Here’s the three-minute read you need to understand what the row is all about. From where did the row originate?
UN documents on killing of Private Rooney sent to Dublin coroner

2 months ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron |Mark Coughlan

Additional documentation related to the 2022 killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney has been provided by the United Nations to Irish authorities in recent weeks, a UN diplomatic source has confirmed. The documents were given to the Irish UN permanent mission in New York on a USB storage drive, as part of a response to a request from the Dublin City Coroner's Court.
Revival at risk? Irish speakers say policies must be stepped up

2 months ago | rte.ie | Jack McCarron

It is a Friday night in March, and Cork's Triskel Arts Centre is sold-out. A crowd of about two hundred – mostly young women – had turned up to watch a recording of the bilingual podcast How to Gael. It was just the latest sold-out show for the podcast presented by broadcasters Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, Síomha Ní Ruairc, and Louise Cantillon, as part of a nationwide tour - which is following a sold-out North American tour. "The reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
Ex-Rehab CEO says she's still 'seeking justice' for PAC grilling

Feb 11, 2025 | rte.ie | Jack McCarron

In February 2014, CEO of the Rehab Group Angela Kerins was called in front of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to field questions over services provided by Rehab under contract from the State. What followed became the focal point of a high-profile political and legal dispute that raised significant questions about parliamentary oversight and individual rights. Within weeks, Ms Kerins had resigned her position with the Rehab Group.