You've had your say about RTÉ - this is what you said...

You have had your say about RTÉ

Your views will guide what we do in the years ahead

Almost 10,000 of you shared your views in February and March 2021
What you've told us will guide what we do in the future
You have shown strong public support for a wide range of public service programming and content

Almost 10,000 members of the public have responded to RTÉ’s invitation to say what they think about RTÉ through its 'Have your say’ campaign.

View the results of the public consultation here

In February and March 2021, through an independent survey, and following a national ‘Have Your Say’ media campaign, members of the public were invited to give their views on RTÉ and what they want from it, whether they regularly consume RTÉ’s television, radio or online services, or not. These views will guide what RTÉ will do over the years ahead.

Under the Broadcasting Act (2009), RTÉ is required to consult with the public and prepare a Public Service Statement every five years. This statement sets out the principles to be observed and activities to be undertaken by RTÉ in order to fulfil its public service remit. This year’s consultation received the largest ever response to a media consultation with the Irish public.

The anonymous survey was conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A) on behalf of RTÉ and all members of the public were invited to give their opinions.

A note from Dee Forbes, Director-General RTÉ

Our audience – you – is at the very core of RTÉ’s vision: to champion Irish culture by captivating audiences with trusted, engaging, and challenging content; to celebrate our country's rich diversity; and to cultivate Ireland's talent.

Every five years RTÉ must prepare a Public Service Statement, setting out in broad detail what we will produce, where we will focus, and what we will do, to better serve audiences all over Ireland. Whilst that statement is our obligation as Ireland’s national public service media, we see it as much more than just something we must do. We see it as a chance to listen and allow you to shape the future of your public service media. After all, RTÉ is yours.

When we last invited you to tell us what you want and need, in 2015, there were less than 1000 responses. However, almost 10,000 of you responded to our most recent survey, conducted in February and March of this year.

In some ways, this significant increase in responses is not surprising. The last 16 months have truly clarified the role of public service media in society, and audiences have come to their national public media in record numbers. 90% of Irish people chose RTÉ as their primary source of information on the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020; RTÉ Player saw a 36% growth in viewing in 2020, with 67.5m streams; and almost 4 million individuals tuned in to RTÉ’s television services in the early stages of the pandemic (2 March–17 May 2020). So we know that public media matters to you, and we know you have strong feelings about what you want from it.

Now, with the results of this latest national survey – among the biggest such surveys conducted in recent years – we are better equipped than ever to deliver what our audience wants, when you want it, and where you want it.

The values of public media are shared widely across Europe and, in responding to this survey, you have told us that being independent from political, commercial, and other influences is important. You want a national broadcaster that acts in the best interest of society, that supports innovation and creativity, that promotes Ireland’s diversity and culture, and which is accountable to you. Crucially, you’ve endorsed the idea of an RTÉ that’s for everyone, and available to everyone.

Of all those founding principles, one shines through: 94% said it is important that RTÉ is independent. We agree – and this core principle will continue to be the cornerstone of our journalism, of who we are, and of what we do. Aligned to that, 97% of you say it’s important that RTÉ provides high quality national and international news and current affairs that is accurate, fair, impartial and objective. Building on the legacy and proud tradition of RTÉ News will remain a key focus in the years ahead.

The survey also indicates strong support for public media as an idea, and for RTÉ’s remit and role specifically; 89% of you say it is important that RTÉ produces a mix of programmes and content for all audiences, and 89% of you also agree that high-quality content, made in Ireland, and made about Ireland, is important. You want your national public media to fulfil a range of roles, to make us laugh; to reflect the growing diversity of a changing Ireland; to facilitate debate; to contribute to an informed society; and to join with you in creating even more shared experiences.

While the survey is a strong endorsement of the vision, mission and values that guide RTÉ every day, it was gratifying to note some exceptionally strong endorsements of other aspects of RTÉ’s services.

For example, 87% of you say it is important that RTÉ provides archive material documenting the heritage and everyday life of Ireland, and that this is accessible in all formats. 74% say it is important that RTÉ creates content that reflects the diversity that exists in Ireland today, and 94% say it is important that RTÉ ensures people with disabilities can access RTÉ programmes and services.

It is clear that you place huge trust in RTÉ. You expect big things from RTÉ. We agree with you that the very heart of our public purpose is to reflect Irish life, and Irish lives. This survey, alongside our other range of audience insights, provides the seeds that will allow us to serve you better in the future. You can read the full results at the link on this webpage.

Thank you for sharing.

DEE FORBES

Director-General, RTÉ

About the survey

This survey was conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A), Ireland’s largest independent market research company, on behalf of RTÉ. Personal information was not collected by or provided to RTÉ, further to B&A’s privacy policy. Findings could not be linked back to participants personally in any way. RTÉ only sees aggregated and anonymous survey results. B&A is a trusted provider to RTÉ and further information, including their privacy policy, is available at https://banda.ie/.

About the survey methodology

In designing the public consultation, RTÉ’s objectives were for it to be as open and inclusive as possible, to collect the views of as many members of the public as possible. The consultation was supported by a national media campaign letting the public know it was happening and inviting them to take part and ‘Have your say’.

The consultation methodology involved two exercises, where an self-select open-invitation public consultation survey was complemented by a nationally representative quantitative survey. This effective and efficient approach aligns with best-practice and Government’s national guidelines on undertaking public consultations.

The public consultation was live for five weeks during the period 15 February to 21 March 2021.

Next steps

RTÉ is considering the public consultation findings. These findings will inform RTÉ’s next Public Service Statement which is like a charter or mandate from the public, RTÉ’s audience. This statement will guide what RTÉ will do over the years ahead and will feed into the organisation’s longer-term.

When a draft statement has been approved by the RTÉ Board later in 2021, it will then go to the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media for her approval, subject to consultation with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. When RTÉ’s statement has been given Ministerial consent, it will be published on www.rte.ie alongside these consultation findings.

View the results of the public consultation here

Tá do chuid ráite agat maidir le RTÉ.

Beidh do chuid moltaí ár dtreorú i ngach a bheidh ar bun againn sna blianta atá amach romhainn.

Roinn beagnach 10,000 agaibh bhur dtuairimí linn i mí Feabhra agus Márta 2021
Beidh a bhfuil ráite agaibh linn mar threoir dár gcuid oibre sa todhchaí
Léirigh sibh tacaíocht láidir phoiblí do réimse leathan clár agus ábhar seirbhíse poiblí

D'fhreagair beagnach 10,000 ball den phobal an cuireadh a thug RTÉ dóibh a dtuairimí i dtaobh RTÉ a roinnt tríd an bhfeachtas 'Abair leat'.

Féach ar thorthaí an chomhairliúcháin phoiblí anseo

I mí Feabhra agus Márta na bliana 2021, trí shuirbhé neamhspleách, and tar éis feachtas náisiúnta ‘Abair Leat’ sna meáin, tugadh cuireadh don phobal a dtuairimí a thabhairt i dtaobh RTÉ agus a bhfuil siad ag súil leis uaidh, is cuma an mbaineann siad úsáid rialta as seirbhísí RTÉ ar an teilifís, ar an raidió nó ar líne, nó nach mbaineann. Beidh na tuairimí sin mar threoir do RTÉ sna blianta amach romhainn.

Faoin Acht Craolacháin (2009), ceanglaítear ar RTÉ dul i gcomhairle leis an bpobal agus Ráiteas Seirbhíse Poiblí a réiteach gach cúig bliana. Leagtar amach sa ráiteas seo na prionsabail atá le comhlíonadh ag RTÉ agus na gníomhaíochtaí atá le cur i gcrích aige d’fhonn a shainchúram seirbhíse poiblí a chomhlíonadh. Tugadh an fhreagairt ba mhó riamh ar chomhairliúchán de chuid na meán le pobal na hÉireann, ar chomhairliúchán na bliana seo.

Rinne Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A) an suirbhé, nár ghá ainm a thabhairt leis, thar ceann RTÉ agus tugadh cuireadh do gach ball den phobal a dtuairimí a thabhairt.

Nóta ó Dee Forbes, Ard-Stiúrthóir RTÉ

Tá ár lucht féachana – sibhse – i gcroílár na físe atá ag RTÉ: cultúr na hÉireann a chur chun cinn trí lucht féachana a spreagadh le hábhar atá iontaofa, tarraingteach agus dúshlánach; ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar éagsúlacht shaibhir na tíre; agus tallann na hÉireann a chothú.

Gach cúig bliana bíonn ar RTÉ Ráiteas Seirbhíse Poiblí a réiteach, ina leagtar amach tríd is tríd, an t-ábhar a bheidh á chur ar fáil againn, na gnéithe ar a ndíreoidh muid, agus gach atá i gceist againn a chur i gcrích chun freastal níos fearr a dhéanamh ar lucht féachana fud fad na hÉireann. Cé go bhfuil an ráiteas sin leagtha mar dhualgas orainn de bharr gur muid an meán cumarsáide náisiúnta seirbhíse poiblí in Éirinn, tá i bhfad níos mó i gceist leis ón taobh s’againne de ná rud éigin atá iallach orainn a dhéanamh. Tá muid á fheiceáil mar dheis chun éisteacht a thabhairt daoibhse agus deis a thabhairt daoibh todhchaí bhur meán cumarsáide seirbhíse poiblí féin a mhúnlú. Tar éis an tsaoil, is libhse RTÉ.

An babhta deireanach ar tugadh cuireadh daoibh a insint dúinn faoi na rudaí a bhí sibh ag iarraidh agus na rudaí a bhí riachtanach daoibh, in 2015, fuair muid níos lú ná 1000 freagra. D'fhreagair beagnach 10,000 agaibh an suirbhé is déanaí a rinne muid i mí Feabhra agus i mí Márta na bliana seo.

Ar bhealach, ní haon ábhar iontais é an méadú suntasach seo a bheith tagtha ar líon na bhfreagraí. Le 16 mhí anuas, tugadh soiléiriú iontach ar ról na meán cumarsáide seirbhíse poiblí sa tsochaí, agus lucht féachana ag tarraingt ar a gcuid meán cumarsáide náisiúnta poiblí ina sluaite. Roghnaigh 90% de mhuintir na hÉireann RTÉ mar phríomhfhoinse eolais maidir le paindéim Covid-19 in 2020; tháinig fás 36% ar an líon a bhreathnaigh ar Sheinnteoir RTÉ in 2020, áit a raibh sruthanna 67.5m; agus d’fhéach beagnach 4 mhilliún duine aonair ar sheirbhísí teilifíse RTÉ i dtús na paindéime (2 Márta–17 Bealtaine 2020). Tá a fhios againn, dá bhrí sin, go bhfuil na meáin chumarsáide phoiblí tábhachtach daoibhse agus tá a fhios againn go bhfuil tuairimí láidre agaibh maidir lena dteastaíonn uaibh uaidh.

Anois go bhfuil torthaí an tsuirbhé náisiúnta seo is déanaí againn – ceann de na suirbhéanna is mó dá leithéid atá déanta le blianta beaga anuas – tá muid breá ábalta, thar mar a bhí riamh, an rud a theastaíonn uaibhse, ár lucht féachana, a thabhairt daoibh, nuair a theastaíonn sé agus san áit a dteastaíonn sé uaibh.

Glactar go forleathan ar fud na hEorpa le tábhacht na meán poiblí agus, agus nuair a d’fhreagair sibhse an suirbhé seo, chuir sibh in iúl dúinn go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go mbeadh muid neamhspleách ó thionchair pholaitiúla, tráchtála agus eile. Teastaíonn craoltóir náisiúnta uaibh a oibríonn ar mhaithe le leas na sochaí, a thacaíonn leis an nuálaíocht agus leis an gcruthaitheacht, a chuireann éagsúlacht agus cultúr na hÉireann chun cinn, agus atá freagrach daoibhse. Ach thar aon ní eile, thacaigh sibh leis an dearcadh gur chóir go mbeadh RTÉ ann ar son gach duine, agus go mbeadh fáil air ag gach duine.

As na bunphrionsabail sin ar fad, tá ceann amháin a sheasann amach: dúirt 94% agaibh go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go mbeadh RTÉ neamhspleách. Aontaíonn muid – agus beidh an croíphrionsabal sin ina bhunchloch i gcónaí dár gcuid iriseoireachta, ár bhféiniúlacht, agus do gach a mbíonn ar bun againn. Ag teacht leis sin, deir 97% agaibh go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go mbeadh RTÉ ag cur nuacht agus cúrsaí reatha náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta ar fáil a bheadh ar ardchaighdeán agus a bheadh cruinn, cothrom, neamhchlaonta agus oibiachtúil. Sna blianta atá amach romhainn beidh muid ag díriú go príomha ar chur le hoidhreacht agus le mórtasacht Nuacht RTÉ.

Léiríonn an suirbhé freisin tacaíocht láidir do na meáin chumarsáide phoiblí mar smaoineamh, agus do shainchúram agus do ról RTÉ go sonrach; deir 89% agaibh go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go mbeadh meascán de chláir agus d'ábhar le haghaidh gach lucht cineál lucht féachana á tháirgeadh ag RTÉ, agus aontaíonn 89% agaibh freisin go bhfuil tábhacht le hábhar ardchaighdeáin, déanta in Éirinn, agus faoi Éirinn. Ba mhaith libh go mbeadh róil éagsúla á gcomhlíonadh ag na meáin phoiblí náisiúnta, go mbainfí gáire asainn; go dtabharfaí léargas ar an éagsúlacht atá ag teacht chun cinn in Éirinn atá ag athrú; go ndéanfaí díospóireacht a éascú; go gcuirfí le sochaí eolasach; agus go mbeadh muid páirteach libh agus tuilleadh taithí saoil a roinnt agus a chruthú againn le chéile.

Cé go léiríonn an suirbhé an-tacaíocht don fhís, don mhisean agus do na luachanna a threoraíonn RTÉ gach lá, ba deas an rud é a thabhairt faoi deara gur tugadh an-tacaíocht go deo do ghnéithe eile de sheirbhísí RTÉ.

Mar shampla, deir 87% agaibh go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go gcuirfeadh RTÉ ábhar cartlainne ar fáil ina ndéanfaí clárú ar oidhreacht agus ar ghnáthshaol na hÉireann, agus go mbeadh fáil air sin i ngach formáid. Chuir 74% daoibh in iúl go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go gcruthódh RTÉ ábhar a thabharfadh léargas ar an éagsúlacht atá in Éirinn sa lá atá inniu ann, agus deir 94% agaibh go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go gcinnteodh RTÉ gur féidir le daoine faoi mhíchumas rochtain a fháil ar chláir agus ar sheirbhísí RTÉ.

Is léir go bhfuil an-mhuinín agaibh as RTÉ. Tá sibh ag súil le rudaí iontacha ó RTÉ. Aontaíonn muid libh gurb é croílár ár gcuspóir poiblí saol na hÉireann agus saol mhuintir na hÉireann a léiriú. Tugann an suirbhé seo, in éineacht le léargais eile ónár lucht féachana, an bunús a chabhróidh linn freastal níos fearr a dhéanamh oraibh as seo amach. Is féidir na torthaí iomlána a léamh ag an nasc ar an leathanach gréasáin seo.

Go raibh maith agaibh as bhur do dtuairimí a roinnt linn.

DEE FORBES

Príomh-Stiúrthóir, RTÉ

Maidir leis an suirbhé

Ba é Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A), an comhlacht taighde margaidh neamhspleách is mó in Éirinn, a rinne an suirbhé seo thar ceann RTÉ. Bunaithe ar pholasaí príobháideachais B&B níor bhailigh RTÉ, ná níor cuireadh ar fáil dó, aon fhaisnéis phearsanta. Níorbh fhéidir na torthaí a cheangal go pearsanta leis na rannpháirtithe ar bhealach ar bith. Ní fheiceann RTÉ ach torthaí suirbhéanna comhiomlánaithe, gan aon ainm leo. Is soláthraí iontaofa é B&A do RTÉ agus tá tuilleadh eolais, lena n-áirítear a bpolasaí príobháideachais, ar fáil ag https://banda.ie/.

Maidir le modheolaíocht an tsuirbhé

Agus an comhairliúchán poiblí á leagan amach, bhí sé ina chuspóir ag RTÉ a bheith chomh hoscailte agus chomh cuimsitheach agus ab fhéidir, chun tuairimí a bhailiú ó an oiread den phobal agus a d’fhéadfaí. Bhí feachtas náisiúnta sna meáin mar thacaíocht don chomhairliúchán, feachtas a chuir in iúl don phobal go raibh sé ag tarlú agus ag tabhairt cuireadh dóibh páirt a ghlacadh agus a gcuid a rá.

Bhí dhá chleachtas i gceist leis an modheolaíocht chomhairliúcháin, áit a raibh suirbhé comhairliúcháin phoiblí, a roghnaigh an duine féin agus a bhí ar chuireadh oscailte in éineacht le suirbhé cainníochtúil a bhí ionadaíoch go náisiúnta. Tagann an cur chuige éifeachtach agus éifeachtúil seo le dea-chleachtas agus le treoirlínte náisiúnta an Rialtais maidir leis an gcaoi le tabhairt faoi chomhairliúcháin phoiblí.

Bhí an comhairliúchán poiblí ar siúl ar feadh cúig seachtaine le linn na tréimhse 15 Feabhra go 21 Márta 2021.

Na chéad chéimeanna eile

Tá torthaí an chomhairliúcháin phoiblí á meas ag RTÉ. Cuirfidh na torthaí seo bonn eolais faoin gcéad Ráiteas Seirbhíse Poiblí eile de chuid RTÉ, ráiteas atá cosúil le cairt nó sainordú ón bpobal, lucht féachana RTÉ. Treoróidh an ráiteas seo an méid a dhéanfaidh RTÉ sna blianta amach romhainn agus cuirfidh sé le forbairt fhadtéarmach na heagraíochta.

Nuair a bheidh dréachtráiteas faofa ag Bord RTÉ níos déanaí in 2021, rachaidh sé ansin chuig an Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán lena fhaomhadh, faoi réir comhairliúcháin le hÚdarás Craolacháin na hÉireann. Nuair a bheidh toiliú ón Aire faighte ag ráiteas RTÉ, foilseofar é ar an www.rte.ie in éineacht le torthaí an chomhairliúcháin seo.