Audience Council
Wednesday, 28th September 2005
Present:
Mark Connolly, Dublin (Chairman); Paul M. Kinsella, Leinster;
Ruth Gallagher, Dublin; Oliver Donohoe, Social Partners
ICTU; Des Sheridan, Community & Voluntary Pillar Congress
Centres; Eddie Sheehy, County & City Managers' Association;
Patrick O'Leary, The Equality Authority; Paul McDermott,
The Irish Sports Council; Stephanie O'Callaghan, The Arts
Council; Alan McCormack, The Irish Council of Churches;
Eilís Boland, Northern Ireland; Mary Gallagher McBride,
Connacht/Ulster; Valerie Keegan, Social Partners IBEC; Niall
Madigan, Social Partners IFA; Beverly Hanly, RTÉ (Secretary
to Council)
Regrets:
Sheena Walsh McMahon, Leinster; Pádraig McGinn, Connacht/Ulster;
Maolsheachlainn Ó Caollaí, Foras na Gaeilge; Maria Killian,
Ex-Officio Member/RTÉ Authority; Alison McCullagh, Northern
Ireland; Adrian Ó Donnabháin, Munster; Mary Golden, National
Children's Office; Anthony Kelly, Munster
RTÉ:
Tom Quinn, RTÉ Group Secretary; Tom McGuire, Regional Editor
Radio; Dermot Horan, Director of Broadcast and Acquisitions;
Andrew Fitzpatrick, Head of Schedule Planning; Antony Whittal,
Commercial Director Radio; Peter Feeney, Head of Public
Affairs Policy
1. Election of Chairman
At the outset, the outgoing Chairman, Alan McCormack announced
that there had been only one name received for the position
of Chairman, Mark Connolly who was therefore elected unopposed.
The Audience Council congratulated him on his appointment.
The incoming Chairman thanked Dr McCormack on behalf of
the Council for his outstanding contribution as Chairman
during his term of office.
2. Meeting with RTÉ Director-General
The Director-General of RTÉ, Cathal Goan, first of all
congratulated Mr Connolly on his election as Chairman and
thanked Dr McCormack for his work as Chairman in 2005. He
then addressed the Council reiterating the importance which
RTÉ attaches to its work He confirmed that the Council's
views are listened to and taken into account in editorial
decisions. He noted that it had not been possible for the
Audience Council delegation to meet with the Authority's
Programme Sub-Committee during January but that the Chairperson
had invited the delegation to attend its next meeting in
early April. Mr Goan welcomed the close links which were
being established with the BBCNI Broadcasting Council.
3. Report from Secretary
The Secretary updated the Council on events which had taken
place corporately since the last meeting and drew its attention
to some other items of particular interest. The Council
noted the appointment of Edel Ní Chuireáin as Ceannaire
of Raidio na Gaeltachta and requested the Secretary to convey
its congratulations to her.
4. Discussion on recent programming
The strands chosen for particular review were the Christmas
schedules on Radio and Television but at the outset reference
was made to the docudrama 'Stardust'. The Council congratulated
RTÉ on making this two part series. It had been a brave
decision and it was an important part of RTÉ's role as a
public service broadcaster to produce this type of programme.
The follow up Prime Time programme was also considered very
important as it once again highlighted important issues
which will now be investigated further. Mr Horan and Mr
Fitzpatrick agreed lessons had been learned about the importance
of ensuring that contact is made with each and every group
and individual at the very beginning of the programme-making
process as RTÉ intends to continue making this type of programming.
They also outlined the support measures which RTÉ had put
in place before and after the screening of the programmes.
Some concerns were expressed about what was described as 'media voyeurism' where the media in general has a tendency to cross the line of what might be considered in the public interest to intrude into a personal tragedy. The recent tragic case in Firhouse was cited as an example.
Some concerns were also expressed about some recent Late Late Show programme participants/discussions. There was a view that perhaps the Late Late Show is not the best forum for debate of more serious issues and is better suited to lighter topics and should confine itself to these. There are other programmes on RTÉ which are more suitable for discussion of these serious topics. The view was also expressed that the Late Late Show is a suitable forum as it reflects Irish society 'in the raw'.
Mr Horan and Mr Fitzpatrick outlined for the Council how the Christmas schedules are compiled and the various considerations which must be taken into account.
In general the schedules on both radio and television over the Christmas and New Year period had been well received by the audiences.
The Council thanked Mr Horan and Mr Fitzpatrick for their contributions.
5. Presentation from Antony Whittal, Commercial Director
Radio
Following a request from the Council at its last meeting,
Mr Whittal had been invited to make a presentation. He particularly
clarified the differences between advertising airtime, sponsorship
of programmes and promotions/competitions within programmes.
He reiterated that RTÉ has drawn up stringent guidelines
which are strictly adhered to.
The Council thanked Mr Whittal for his presentation.
6. RTÉ's refusal to carry advertising considered to
have 'political ends'
This item had been placed on the Agenda following recent
media coverage of a Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC)
decision in relation to an advertisement from the Consumer
Agency and RTÉ's subsequent rejection of an advertisement
from AFRI.
Peter Feeney had prepared a background paper which had been circulated to members in advance. He clarified that the BCC can only respond to complaints it receives - it cannot offer advice in advance. Because of this BCC judgement, new guidelines on advertising by Charities, NGOs and Statutory Agencies are being drawn up. He agreed to a Council suggestion that this document, when finalised, might form part of RTÉ's public interest test.
7. Irish 9/11 Truth Movement DVD
The Council decided consideration of this was outside
its remit. It was noted that the Council considered RTÉ's
coverage of 9/11 to be balanced and fair.
8. Date of Next Meeting
This meeting will be held in Belfast on Tuesday, 21st March
2006 at the invitation of the BBCNI Broadcasting Council.