When I was contacted by my local radio station with a view to featuring this new postcode system on their news – I was a tad reticent, but good manners and some local publicity won me over. In addition, Galway Bay FM, was the first local media organisation to show interest in the new postcode system – I felt it fitting they should be the first to receive an official and exclusive press release about the project. Above all, the opportunity to advance beyond cyberspace / social media, as the primary means of dissemination into mainstream local media – was a chance I didn’t want to pass up. Alas, this wasn’t to be – they informed me a few days later that they wouldn’t be reporting on Galway’s new postcode system after all.
Although, very disappointed with the stance taken by my local station, I must respect their editorial decision not to go ahead with the exclusive report. I fully understand their prerogative to report, or not to report – as in my case. You see, unlike RTE, Galway Bay FM does not have a public service remit. I was naïve in thinking they did.
Their decision, based on the fact that another postcode would cause confusion, is in fact, very salient and further underscores my argument for the immediate implementation of this system for Galway:
Firstly, this system is intuitive, simple and specifically designed for Galway city. Whereas, the Eircode postcode is complicated and designed by people without an intimate knowledge of the city.
Secondly, our system is available now – and is being used by more and more Galwegians on a daily basis. It’s the new national system, which won’t be introduced until spring 2015 that has the potential to cause confusion.