Audience Council
Thursday, 11th November 2004
Present: Sheena Walsh McMahon, Leinster; Paul M. Kinsella, Leinster; Mark Connolly, Dublin; Ruth Gallagher, Dublin; Pádraig McGinn, Connacht / Ulster; Anthony Kelly, Munster; Oliver Donohoe, Social Partners ICTU; Derek Cunningham, Social Partners IFA; June Tinsley, Community & Voluntary Pillar INOU; Eddie Sheehy, County & City Managers' Association; Patrick O'Leary, The Equality Authority; Maolsheachlainn Ó Caollaí, Foras na Gaeilge; Paul McDermott, The Irish Sports Council; Garry Hynes, Ex-Officio Member / RTÉ Authority
Regrets: Mary Cloake, The Arts Council; Alan McCormack, The Irish Council of Churches; Alison McCullagh, Northern Ireland; Eilís Boland, Northern Ireland; Adrian Ó Donnabháin, Munster; Mary Gallagher MacBride, Connacht / Ulster; Mary Golden, National Children's Office; Valerie Keegan, Social Partners IBEC.
RTÉ: Majella O Doherty; Tom Quinn; Beverly Hanly; Kevin Linehan; Máiréad Ní Nuadháin
1. Report from Secretary
The Secretary reported on various events, which had taken place corporately since the Council met in September.
2. Discussion on programming September - November
The Council congratulated RTÉ on the re-positioning of RTÉ Two saying it was "very distinct". There was praise for the True Lives series and Making Babies. The Council welcomed the fact that the audience was "now seeing programmes on Irish life" that were "not seen previously" on Irish television.
There was a detailed discussion on the coverage of the US Presidential Election. The Council said RTÉ "got it right", that the level of coverage was "warranted", the quality "excellent", and the station "well served" by Carole Coleman.
The Council also discussed technical difficulties, which occur, on RTÉ Radio, in the form of studio problems, links going down and other on air hitches. The Council said it was important that RTÉ output on both TV and radio is distinguished by high technical standards and the extent of on air technical problems should be closely monitored to ensure that the highest standards are achieved. While it was agreed that when so much of the output is live there would be technical hitches the Council asked for some measure of the extent and nature of these faults to gauge the extent of the problem. The Council also asked for information on real time streaming of radio in formats other than real audio, and more streaming of television programmes.
The issue of product placement was raised in the context of a prominent position given to the brand name of a particular computer manufacturer during the recent US Presidential election coverage special.
3. Discussion on Public Service Broadcasting, which included the question of taste and decency
Kevin Linehan, Commissioning Editor, Music and Entertainment, RTÉ TV attended this session.
The Dinner Party, Fair City and Tommy Tiernan's recent appearance on The Late Late Show were discussed. Kevin Linehan said that participants on The Dinner Party set the agenda, that it was heavily branded MA (Mature Audience) and that there was a presentation announcement before the programme. The Council agreed that this programme facilitated a young adult audience that one does not often hear speaking on RTÉ.
The Council questioned the relevance of RTÉ's rating system, which it said is obscure and probably not understood by the majority of viewers. It was felt that a rating system closer to that used in cinemas would be more understandable. Kevin Linehan agreed and said RTE is reviewing the rating advice system to ensure that it gives genuine guidance to viewers.
He said he hoped that RTÉ had learned something from Tommy Tiernan's appearance, although an examination of the last three appearances of Tiernan on The Late Late Show would not have suggested that his material would have prompted the audience reaction it did. The Council also discussed the issue of the use of foul and explicit language on air and felt that it was important that RTÉ continue to monitor the many difficult issues facing broadcasters on issues of taste, decency and standards.
The Council agreed that RTÉ has to be relevant, and deal with issues as they are in society, however it was also felt that the broadcast media by reason of being more accessible carry greater responsibilities on issues of taste, etc.
4. Audience Council members possible involvement in RTÉ competitions
It was reiterated that it not appropriate for members of the RTÉ Audience Council to participate in RTÉ competitions.
5. Disability in Media
Prior to the meeting the Council was circulated with a discussion paper from Mark Connolly. The debate which followed focused on the responsibility of RTÉ, as Ireland's Public Service Broadcaster, to contribute to "campaigning issues", and need for "a realistic portrayal", across the media, of what people go through when faced with disability.
In relation to the Paralympics the Council said the media is "out of step" with "public reaction" to paralympic athletes, and that there should be a balance between genuine coverage and tokenism. The Council agreed that there should also be careful that there isn't a tokenistic portrayal of disability in drama.
The Council asked that contacts in disability support groups are available to programme makers. Crucially, what disabled people want is an acknowledgement of the fact that the disabled community contribute to daily life and for the media to reflect that reality, Having a contact list of practitioners in various mainstream fields, who also happen to be 'disabled', and then portraying them in the media based on their ability rather than their 'disability' would be very helpful.
6. Diversity update
Prior to the meeting the Council was circulated with a draft paper on Multiculturalism by RTÉ C. Máiréad Ní Nuadháin, Commissioning Editor, Irish language, Multicultural and Educational Programmes, RTÉ TV attended this session.
The Council asked that the title be changed from "Multicultural Policy" to "Diversity Policy" to accommodate other minorities. Máiréad Ní Nuadháin said this could be done however the document in its present format deals only with multicultural issues.
The Council raised three issues pertaining to the document:
- Recruitment
- Training
- Presentation on screen
Máiréad Ní Nuadháin gave the example of Mono and its placement scheme, how Metro Éireann was used in the recruitment of a reporter for last season's programme, and the Pavee Point/FÁS placement scheme for members of the traveller community.
The Council asked if there could be more representation of minority groups such as ethnic groups and disabled, in audiences, on panels and in dramas. It agreed that people should be presented in everyday situations rather than as representatives of minorities.
The Council commended the document, which is not yet official RTÉ policy, and asked how it would be monitored. It also asked if there could be a Diversity update in the RTÉ Annual Report going forward.
There was praise for Three 60; Mono; Meet The Family and Léargas
7. Council to invite BBC Broadcasting Council for Northern Ireland to future meeting
It was agreed that there would be a joint meeting in 2005
8. End of year analysis
It was broadly agreed that it had been a useful and valuable year. The Council said it welcomed the opportunity to express views as well as the input from RTÉ senior management and programme makers. The Council also complimented the Chair. It was agreed there was a need for RTÉ to "raise the profile" of the Council to ensure that the public is aware of it work and to ensure more public interaction with the Council.
The Chair said the challenge for the Council is to ensure that its discussions stay relevant to the issues being raised for the audience by RTÉ programming. He said there is a huge public interest in issues relating to the media generally, including broadcasting, and the Council provided one of the few ways in which representatives of viewers and listeners can engage in detailed discussions with RTÉ managers and programme makers on these issues.
An end of year report will be prepared, by the Secretary, signed off by the Council and will appear in the RTÉ Annual Report 2004.
The Chair said he would be happy to continue in the role for another year. The Secretary advised the Council that if any member wished to run, or nominate another member, for Chair then they should contact RTÉ by the end of the year. If there is to be an election it will be held at the January meeting.
Dates for the 2005 Audience Council meetings will be provided by December.