Audience Council
About the Audience Council
RTÉ, as the national public broadcasting service, is dedicated to putting the audience first. It will continue to provide radio and television programmes, in Irish and English, which are of the highest quality, universally available, and which are independent and impartial in accordance with constitutional and statutory obligations.
The idea of an Audience Council was first discussed in RTÉ's application for a licence fee increase in November 2002:
"The relationship between the audience and the broadcaster can be very uneven yet good communications between the two are vital for the ongoing development of a truly relevant service. RTÉ is committed to being open to its audience, welcoming all contact, listening to all views, and responding promptly and appropriately. To facilitate communication, and to enhance accountability, RTÉ has decided to establish an Audience Council."
RTÉ announced the establishment of the first Audience Council in November 2003. It comprised 22 members and was appointed for a four year term commencing in January 2004. Following a one year extension, its term of office ended in December 2008.
The Broadcasting Act 2009 established the RTÉ Audience Council on a statutory basis (S96 pdf - Broadcasting Act 2009). The 15 members are selected by the members of the RTÉ Board taking into account the requirements of the legislation. The RTÉ Board appoints one of its members as an ex officio member of the Council. The members serve in a voluntary capacity, but may receive such out-of-pocket expenses as may be reasonably incurred in the performance of their functions.
The Council, which is chaired by Professor Gearóid O Tuathaigh, held its inaugural meeting on Thursday, 29 July 2010 and will serve for a period of four years to 31 December 2014. It is intended to provide a voice for the viewers and listeners with regard to RTÉ's output and delivery on its public remit.
The 15 members of the Council are:
Géaróid Ó Tuathaigh (Chairperson)
Deirdre Carroll
Gerry Ellis
Paddy Richardson
Gregory Fromholz
Rachel Holstead
Joe Little (RTÉ Board Representative)
Ebun Akpoveta
Donal O’Grady
Robin O’Sullivan
Kathriona Devereux
Mary Stuart
Clare Watson
Bríd O'Brien
The Secretary to the Council is Beverly Hanly, Assistant Secretary to the Board of RTÉ.
Purpose
The public interest tests that RTÉ sets for itself include:
- Fairness
- Accuracy
- Impartiality
- Objectivity
- Independence from vested interests and freedom from political control or influence
- High quality schedules available to all (i.e. free to air)
- A significant proportion of programming originating in Ireland
- Schedules that include programming for minority groups and interests
- Schedules that respect the views of the audience and enhance their cultural expectations
- Programming that recognises regional interests and cultural diversity
- Programming that encourages understanding and tolerance
- Programming that is imaginative and original.
All of these tests are in the interest of the audience, and are open to comment and feedback by the audience; the Audience Council facilitates this communication and these topics form its basic agenda. A copy of the agreed communiqué which issues after each meeting is here http://www.rte.ie/about/audience_communique.html
You can contact the audience council here:audiencecouncil@rte.ie
Click here to view Audience Council standing orders >>