The coverage of the Irish marriage referendum shows that sometimes media ‘balance’ is impossible

Ireland recently voted to not only legalise same-sex marriage, but to become the first country to do so in a referendum, and to have it enshrined in the constitution. The campaign wasn’t just notable for the optimism and positivity of the ‘Yes’ campaign, though, with court decisions to ensure a “balanced” debate let to often farcical portrayals of the referendum by the broadcasters, argues Philip O’Connor.