A letter from FEARGUS all the way in Waikanae, New Zealand.
Sir, – I read Una Mullally’s piece “RTÉ referendum memo sends out the wrong message”, (Opinion & Analysis, April 6th) in disbelief. It is many years since I worked in RTÉ but the memo she reports is by my memory quite simply bog standard.
The only difference that separates this version from that issued in my own days there is the onward march of technology, to wit social media, so-called.
I thought the passage of time might have coloured my memory, but no.
I have checked with a friend, a former senior editorial executive, who has assured me that I remain compos mentisand “it’s a restatement of the usual”.
Ms Mullally is outraged. I see the memo differently.
First, it provides a protection to the RTÉ workforce.
Second, and by far the most important aspect of a long-standing policy, it offers – or is intended to offer – some assurance to the Irish public that the organisation and its broadcast services can be trusted to be what public representatives intended when, in 1960 and periodically since, they enacted and amended laws establishing and maintaining RTÉ as a national public service broadcaster. Specifically that voters can trust its coverage during a campaign.
The stopwatch and other aspects of RTÉ’s house policy on electoral and referendum coverage during the official contest period is not only “the usual”, it is necessary. This is not about the Angelus, “young researchers frightened about job security” or any other coats trailed in the piece.
It is about RTÉ and the law (the Broadcasting Acts) and integrity (RTÉ as a public service broadcaster) as they relate to the critical moment of the democratic exercise.
Voters deserve the assurance that neither a very powerful public body nor its staff are being anything other than scrupulously disinterested during the referendum campaign. I don’t know whatThe Irish Times policy is, though it appears to be different, but then it is not a public service. – Yours, etc,
FEARGUS Ó RAGHALLAIGH,
Sound, mind.
RTÉ and Referendum Coverage (Irish Times letters)
Previously: Friends, Colleagues, Freelancers, Cover Your Mouths
“Voters deserve the assurance that neither a very powerful public body nor its staff are being anything other than scrupulously disinterested during the referendum campaign.”
That is total bull. Find me a gay person working in RTE who is completely disinterested in this referendum when it impacts them and only them. How is it fair to expect them to be? How is it fair for an employer to prevent an employee campaigning in their own free time?
I work in architecture, in my previous job our clients included big landowners with dodgy reputations for buy-ups and evictions before redevelopment – separately I’ve been known to bitch about predatory landowners and rent controls on my twitter/facebook page. I was not betraying the clients, I represented them to the best of my ability even though I couldn’t stand the greedy scum – I reserve the right to have and express an opinion contrary to theirs. Same should go for the vast majority of RTE staff.
Like the BBC, RTE is supposed to be impartial…whats not to get ffs
I know, right guys?
RTE’s OUTPUT
…is supposed to be impartial – not the private lives of it’s thousands of workers. That’s what you’re not getting.
Read it again, he’s talking about ‘content’ provision and ‘journalism’ not hot-cross buns engineers in the canteen kitchen.
Yup. And surely people have on their bios “Views my own” which makes it pretty clear they aren’t spouting the party line?
You just failed English.
No room for rational debate here, only OUTRAGE!
the debate is being set up to promote the notion Ireland is there re basic civil rights (just not the aul abortion – cant be having that), that th church should still ensure a no victory despite CLEAR majority polls vying for a yes, face it Ireland is a regressive regime that only does basic rights . equality is not guaranteed in this sickness of a place
Yeah but given how complete objectivity or impartiality is nigh on impossible I think I’d like to know how the people responsible for presenting the narrative actually feel on controversial issues because no matter how hard they try it’ll colour how they present it (With the best will in the world I’d find it tough to treat my ideological opponent’s perspective with the same respect and patience as someone I agree with).
‘Public trust in fair debate and coverage’
Having a laugh, IW protest and gardai corruption, RTE is the mouth piece of the state
Not comparable. There was no general election on the moral issue of buy ups, evictions etc, and your architecture company was not responsible for informing/influencing the lay people of the land on the topic of the non-existent election.
Your right to express an opinion of the greedy scum is yours, and no-one can take that away.
RTE staff have the same right, they just can’t express it on a platform provided or supported by their roles in RTE. i.e. Would someone working in RTE have the same number of followers if they worked in a shoe shop?
What if certain personalities came out publicly in favour of one side or the other? Not fair.
What about non-public figures at RTE though? Reception, IT, canteen, facilities, HR, Accounts, technicians…?
We’re not talking about Marian Finucane’s Twitter and Sean O’Rourke’s Snapchat here, this applies to ALL staff, canteen workers, makeup department, accounts – that’s my problem with this.
How do you know that?
The note refers to…. “RTE Journalism Guidelines” ….and so I don’t see how that’d effect the Fair City props department or the cleaners and canteen staff…..
He goes further when talking about all the roles in “content” provision and again, makes no reference to “ALL staff”.
I think your outrage got the better of ya.
RTE: “Heh, fellow public service broadcasting staff members! Please refrain from using media, social or otherwise to air your personal views on the topic of an up-coming referendum. We have a job to do.”
Crazies: “Homophobes!!”
Does RTE still exist? Thought they’d turned Donnybrook into a car park, you know, because of all the shame.
Keep sending in the showreel Jimmy, they’ll give in eventually
Doubt it, dont have the family connections and am not willing to be an intern for 3 years
if only
in my dreamland it would be the second branch of my new homeless shelter ‘business’ (First branch in Kildare St)
First you need to finish off that Baggot st methdone clinic
What a surprise, Una Mullally is an idiot, wind up merchant trying to drum interest in her politics.
She uses her sexuality as a vehicle of self promotion. Oh so very boring.
Would that be the gay agenda that people talk of?
No Don, it would be the personal agenda that people whisper about.
Why are you whispering about it? You lot always get your knickers in a twist about Una, its funny.
you could have a worse personal agenda so give it up. imagine wanting to be treated with the same first class status and you a consenting adult – wow what an audacity! grow up
Can I use my sexuality as a vehicle if the bus is packed?
Ding Dong Don, don’t play if you can’t keep up . ( BTW it’s ).
Keep up with a genius who can’t reply correctly? Man, you sure showed me!
when boyzone sang ‘you say it best, when you say nothing at all’ they were talkiing about rte.
The bell still tolls for ding dong dim Don.
Seriously JT, sort yourself out….
Ive just had all comments posted on a Liberal.ie#s ‘article’ on the subject removed and my right to comment revoked. Can someone inform who’s responsible for that apparent agenda and why they’d want to alienate my support, moreover show up some kind of anto position given they have left offensive comments on said article?
Sounds like RTE’s request would prevent No siders claiming bias after the inevitable victory for the Yes side; which is in itself, bias, as it takes away a No side argument that they’d otherwise have in any case they might bring to have a second vote. Maybe. Or it’s aliens, ancient aliens. Has anyone used that as an alternative to the Godwin’s Law thing?
Una is doing her best to stamp down dissent even in her own parish. See comments at http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2015/04/08/the-marriage-equality-referendum-and-the-hearts-and-minds-campaign/