In this book, author Myles Dungan forcefully analyzes the struggle of
Irish nationalist newspapers in the riotous decade of the 1880s - in
particular, that of the Parnellite newspaper United Ireland. While
examining the extent of British censorship in dealing with Irish
nationalist newspapers, Dungan provides a fresh and involving
consideration of the ways in which United Ireland could be accused of
committing the same crimes as the British administrations. Making
extensive use of fascinating archival materials, the book establishes
the different ways in which both British administrations - that of
Gladstone and Salisbury - counteracted the most assertive journalistic
and nationalist voice during this turbulent time, suppressing freedom of
speech. The details are no less steadfast when it comes to presenting
the questionable conduct of United Ireland as they policed the press in
order to eliminate points of view that dissented from their own.