RTÉ Audience Council Communique
Thursday, 29th May 2008
Present: Alison McCullagh, Northern Ireland (Chairperson); Des Sheridan, Community and Voluntary Pillar (Vice-Chairperson); Paul M. Kinsella, Leinster; Lucilita Bhreatnach, Foras na Gaeilge; Eilis Boland, Northern Ireland; Patrick O’Leary, Equality Authority; Ian Malcolm, RTÉ Authority; Paul McDermott, Irish Sports Council; Ruth Gallagher, Dublin; Beverly Hanly, RTÉ, Secretary to Audience Council
Regrets: Sheena Walsh McMahon, Leinster; Valerie Keegan, IBEC; Stephanie O’Callaghan, Arts Council; Mary Gallagher McBride, Connacht/Ulster; Eddie Sheehy, City and County Managers’ Association; Niall Madigan, IFA; Macdara Doyle, ICTU; Pádraig McGinn, Connaught/Ulster; Anthony Kelly, Munster; Mark Connolly, Dublin
Absent: Anne O’Donnell, Office of the Minister for Children;
RTÉ: Tom Quinn, RTÉ Group Secretary
It was agreed that the meeting would go ahead despite being one short of the quorum which is 10.
At the outset, the Chairperson welcomed Lucilita Bhreatnach the newly appointed Foras na Gaeilge representative.
The Chairperson noted that it had not been possible to hold the joint meeting with BBCNI Audience Council today, as discussed at the previous meeting, due to scheduling issues for them. However, it is hoped that this joint meeting would take place at our scheduled meeting on 11th September.
Secretary's Report
The Secretary updated the Council on corporate activities since the meeting in March and reported on the feedback received from the executive to points raised at that meeting.
Recent Programming
There was praise for the Radio interview with the late Nuala O Faolain which was described as 'powerful'. Other programmes which came in for praise included the West of Mecca series; Prime Time and Prime Time Investigates which continue to be excellent; In the Name of the Fada; Surgeons; War Stories; the Champions League coverage and Rugby commentator Michael Corcoran.
There were mixed views expressed about Celebrity Bainisteoir. There was some concern expressed about the scheduling of certain items on a Late Late Show. The wisdom of a recent Liveline interview with the mother of a victim of an attempted murder prior to sentence being handed down was questioned. There was criticism that Aertel does not seem to be updated on a regular basis but on the other hand the website was deemed to be an excellent source for news and other information. The archive section came in for particular praise.
While RTÉ's overall coverage of Seachtain na Gaeilge was good, there was some concern expressed about a Prime Time programme during that week which, it was felt, did nothing to promote the Irish language and it was suggested that this could be redressed by conducting a properly rounded researched programme regarding the development of the Irish language in different sectors. The RTÉ Guide's recent giveaway of a CD to learn Irish was welcomed as a step in the right direction and RTÉ should be applauded for this type of effort. In relation to promotion of the Irish language for the rest of the year, it was felt that an effort should be made by continuity announcements etc.
With regard to Ireland's Eurovision entry, it was noted that the doubts expressed at the previous meeting were borne out and maybe now is the time for RTÉ to have a serious look at its involvement.
There continues to be concern about the (mis) pronunciation of placenames.
Broadcasting Bill 2008
The RTÉ Group Secretary gave a detailed briefing on the contents of the recently published Broadcasting Bill 2008 which is includes a consolidation of broadcasting legislation since 1960. RTÉ will remain a Statutory Corporation. He stated that the Bill is currently before the Seanad and was expected to go to the Dáil in early Autumn with a view to enactment at the beginning of 2009.
The RTÉ Group Secretary drew particular attention to the section (96) dealing with the appointment of an Audience Council. What is now being proposed is that RTÉ would appoint a 15 member Audience Council which would not require Ministerial consent. One ex officio member would be a member of the new RTÉ Board. He said that RTÉ would welcome the Council's views, based on its five years' experience, on how best to construct the membership of the new Council. After some discussion it was agreed that the members would submit their views to the Secretary by 30th June for submission to the Authority at its meeting on 17th July and there would be a full discussion at the Council's September meeting. Reference was made by some members to "Section 75" in Northern Ireland which ensures equal representation at public level and it was suggested that it might be consulted to see best practice in this regard.
With regard to Section 101 of the Bill (Charter), there was a request that the Authority be asked to lobby for inclusion of the Irish language.
Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty
Mr Peter Feeney, Head of Public Policy, was in attendance for this item in his capacity as Secretary to the Referendum Steering Group.
Mr Feeney gave a detailed presentation on RTÉ's efforts to ensure balance in its coverage of both sides in this referendum. He stated that this is proving to be a particularly difficult referendum to cover especially given the disparate groups involved on the No side. The Steering Group meets weekly to review all coverage and is confident that RTÉ's overall coverage is balanced.
There was a view expressed by some members that there does not seem to be much regional coverage and it all seems to be based along the East coast. This point was taken on board.
Policy on Interculturalism
The Director of Communications was unable to attend today's meeting and had prepared a written update on progress since last year. The policy was welcomed by the members who considered it to be excellent and challenging. It will be further discussed at the November meeting. The new www.rte.ie/diversity site was highly praised.
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday, 11th September 2008.