Audience Council
RTÉ Audience Council Communique - Wednesday, 7th June 2006
Present:
Mark Connolly, Dublin (Chairman); Paul M. Kinsella, Leinster; Des Sheridan, Community & Voluntary Pillar Congress Centres; Patrick O'Leary, The Equality Authority; Paul McDermott, The Irish Sports Council; Stephanie O'Callaghan, The Arts Council; Eilís Boland, Northern Ireland; Sheena Walsh McMahon, Leinster; Pádraig McGinn, Connacht/Ulster; Maolsheachlainn Ó Caollaí, Foras na Gaeilge; Mary Gallagher McBride, Connacht/Ulster; Valerie Keegan, Social Partners IBEC; Niall Madigan, Social Partners IFA; Mary Golden, National Children's Office; Beverly Hanly, RTÉ (Secretary to Council)
Regrets:
Maria Killian, Ex Officio Member/RTÉ Authority; Alison McCullagh, Northern Ireland; Adrian Ó Donnabháin, Munster; Anthony Kelly, Munster Ruth Gallagher, Dublin; Eddie Sheehy, County & City Managers' Association; Oliver Donohoe, Social Partners ICTU; Alan McCormack, The Irish Council of Churches.
RTÉ: Tom Quinn, RTÉ Group Secretary; Adrian Moynes, Managing Director Radio; JP Coakley, Head of Operations, Radio.
1. Secretary's Report
The Secretary reported on various corporate highlights since the last meeting.
2. Pronunciation in languages other than English
Maolsheachlain Ó Caollaí had prepared a discussion paper on this. Mispronunciation is considered to be discourteous and disrespectful, especially of people's names.
JP Coakley, Head of Operations Radio, gave a presentation on a web-based pronunciation guide which is being developed for use initially in-house but which could be made available to external users of RTÉ's services in the future. It was confirmed that once it is up and running, this will become part of RTÉ's Policy on Diversity. There was also a suggestion that consideration could be given to having a link on the rte.ie website to enable audience feedback on pronunciation.
As this presentation was technical, it was agreed that it would be useful for the Council to have a presentation from the editorial side (News in particular) at a future meeting.
3. Podcasts of Radio Programmes
JP Coakley gave a very interesting presentation on podcasts, including a demonstration, as well as other developments which are taking place. There are many audio podcasts available from RTÉ Radio and a video podcast (Crap Rap) has begun recently - however, it was pointed out that bandwidth can be expensive for the broadcaster and that video podcasts use a great deal of bandwidth. Also, a trial is currently underway to send RTÉ 1 and RTÉ 2 TV live to mobile phones. The best way forward is to move FM into the digital age via DAB as well as developing our online offering. Podcasting still has only a very small number of users but it is not expensive to produce if it is recycled content which has already been generated for radio and television. The question of rights was raised and it was confirmed that rights organisations, record companies etc are anxious to protect their rights.
4. JNLR
Adrian Moynes reviewed the recently published JNLR figures. RTÉ Radio 1 was pretty steady, RTÉ 2fm was down quite a bit, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta remained pretty stable. He pointed out that with regard to Raidio na Gaeltachta that while the information is gathered it is not reported on because the service does not carry advertising and the JNLRs are primarily an advertising tool. Raidió na Gaeltachta had a survey (distinct from the JNLR) conducted. The results showed high appreciation and use of the service in those communities where the use of Irish in daily life is strongest
5. Changes to the RTÉ Radio 1 schedules
Changes to the Radio 1 schedules had been announced within the past ten days. Some changes had generated some controversy, particularly in relation to the arts programming. The Audience Council expressed mixed views on the proposed changes. Adrian Moynes outlined the rationale behind the changes and reiterated that RTÉ is very serious and committed to coverage of the arts. After some discussion, it was agreed that this would be re-visited at the September meeting when the new schedule was on air.
6. Review of Recent Programming
There was criticism about aspects of the coverage of the 90th Anniversary of the Easter Rising as well as Test the Nation quiz. There was also criticism about Liveline's recent coverage of the Supreme Court decision in the case of Mr A.
Compliments were paid to the Garda McCabe programme on Tuesday night, Time of Our Lives, "Boom" and Prime Time Investigates on Solicitors.
7. Joint Meeting with BBCNI Broadcasting Council
It was agreed that this had been a very successful, dynamic meeting with good round table discussions on areas of mutual interest.
8. Meeting with Authority Programme Sub-Committee
The Chairman, Valerie Keegan and Paul Kinsella along with the Council Secretary had met with the Authority Programme Sub-Committee on 6th April 2006. The members who had attended fed back their views to the Council. RTÉ Group Secretary advised that a report had been given to the Authority and will circulate a copy to Council members.
This led to a general discussion on the Council's status and future. Its current term of office expires at the end of 2007 and various issues should be considered now viz the question of perhaps some members staying on to ensure continuity, a higher profile for the Council (in this connection the RTÉ Guide will be interviewing the Chairman in the coming weeks).
RTÉ Group Secretary suggested that in addition to RTÉ giving feedback to the Council as to reaction to their input, that it might be useful if RTÉ got feedback from the Council members, especially from the representatives of the Social Partners, as to what feedback they give their organisations and whether those organisations consider their membership of the Council to be worthwhile.
Concern was expressed by some members at the continual non-attendance of fellow members and it was agreed that there should be some mechanism identified for sanctions for non-attendance. A provision for alternates should also be investigated for the representative bodies.
Date of next meeting: Wednesday, 20th September 2006