We want the government to commission an independent investigation into how RTÉ conducts its news programmes including, but not limited to, RTÉ News, Prime Time and RTÉ Investigates programmes. And whether these programmes are investigated with or without bias. Furthermore, what measures RTÉ undertake to protect individuals from vilification and false accusations.

 

RTÉ is a state sponsored body and is part funded by the Tv Licence fee. It receives approximately 85% of this licence fee.

RTÉ has been subject to many defamation and legal proceedings taken against it many of which settle for undisclosed figures.

It is our view that many of these proceedings may have been avoided had RTÉ taken the proper steps in verifying information before publication.

 

Examples of the aforementioned cases:

1. RTÉ settles with Sean Gallagher in 2017
RTÉ agrees to pay former presidential election candidate Seán Gallagher “substantial damages”. Mr Gallagher sued the broadcaster for damages over a tweet (from a twitter account that was similar in name, but not linked to, another presidential candidate) read out by presenter Pat Kenny during the presidential debate, which was broadcast three days before the election.

 

2. A defamation action taken by Sergeant Maurice Mc Cabe against RTÉ
Mr. Mc Cabe took a case against RTÉ and a solicitor over comments made on Marian Finucane Radio show in 2014. This was reported to be settled for an undisclosed figure.

 

3. Priest has libel case against RTÉ over an RTÉ Investigates programme.
A priest was wrongly accused of sexually abusing a minor, fathering a child with her and then abandoning the child.

The priest denied the allegations and offered to take a paternity test to prove his innocent. This offer, and denial, were ignored by RTÉ and the programme was aired to an estimated audience of over 500,000 viewers and the allegations were subsequently treated as fact.

The priest later proved his innocence with a paternity test.

The priest took a libel claim against RTÉ which was settled before the hearing for an undisclosed amount.

 

4. On the 26/06/19, RTÉ aired An “RTÉ Investigates” programme on the greyhound industry in which they publicised images and names of individuals coursing hares in an island off Co. Cork. RTÉ also names an unlinked business with regards the same activity.

RTÉ depicted these people as performing illegal acts and by publicly naming and showing them, they made them and any of their businesses the targets for personal and online abuse. An unlinked business was also named by RTÉ in the same programme as being linked to the illegal activity in question. In the House of the Oireachtas on 09/07/19, the public were made aware that these individuals were actually acting completely within the law.

Furthermore, a member of the house of the Oireachtas stated that he wanted it on the record that RTÉ need to apologise to these individuals.

This certainly leaves RTÉ open to yet another case which may come at the licence fee payers expense.

 

5. The new “Device Independent Broadcasting Charge”.
The plan for the Device Independent Broadcasting Charge to replace the current Tv Licence fee was part of most news stories across all media in Aug 2019. The majority of media, aside from RTÉ, played interviews with the general public, the majority of which were unhappy about the new plan. Six one news on RTÉ carried the story on the day it was announced and did not air one person who disagreed with the plan.

Considering RTÉ, as previously stated, receive 85% of the licence fee and they would be the major beneficiary of this new plan, it shows the complete bias in their news reporting to not show any negative responses.

 

A request made to RTÉ under the freedom of information act to obtain details of previous settlements against RTÉ was refused.

 

Therefore, it is our opinion that RTÉ are often in contravention of rule 26 of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (Code of Fairness, Objectivity & Impartiality in News & Current Affrairs).

The state owned public sector broadcaster RTÉ recorded a loss of €13 million in 2018 and we feel a lot of additional costs could have been avoided over the years had they been more diligent and accurate in their reporting.