RTE are facing scrutiny following their decision not to broadcast an interview with former minister Shane Ross about his biography of Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, the Dáil heard on Tuesday.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin suggested that the broadcaster were taking a ‘cautious position’ for fear of ‘being sued.’
RTE are already currently the subject of a defamation action by the Sinn Féin leader.
The Taoiseach has called on RTÉ to explain a decision not to broadcast an interview with Shane Ross about his new book on Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald | Read more: https://t.co/TMGoAXcDqx pic.twitter.com/2uC5GEyZYo
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 11, 2022
An Taoiseach stated that the decision not to broadcast the interview with Shane Ross — which was due to air on RTE Radio 1’s Today with Claire Byrne show — was something that ‘demands greater transparency.’
He assumed that the broadcaster were being conservative, considering they were currently being sued by a ‘person of heft and clout.’
Martin added that he also found the allegation that a political party were given access to the interview — which may have led to a ‘tripping up’ as ‘intriguing.’
He said: ‘I don’t think I was ever afforded that opportunity as a leader of the Opposition ever — that someone would say, “Have a listen to that there. DO you think we have permission to publish it?”‘
Noting that it is like ‘not exactly what happened’ the Cork man revealed he was paraphrasing the apparent situation.
A first person piece by Mr Ross, published in last weekend’s Sunday Independent, explained what had happened.
He added the accompanied RTÉ statement which argued their right to independently chose what they broadcast.
The topic was initially raised by Wexford Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe, stated that RTE had a duty of service in public broadcasting.
Mr Kehoe said: ‘I’m not sure what they are afraid of, or who they are afraid of — but this is censorship on the highest order.
‘And I believe it could have some very serious consequences for the national broadcaster. And it’s a very worrying development.’
Mr Kehoe added that Shane Ross was able to do interviews with several independent radio stations, including Newstalk and Today FM.
He said: ‘RTÉ, I believe, has questions to answer.’
The Taoiseach reiterated his belief that RTE were taking a cautious approach due to ‘fear of being sued.’
He said: ‘There’s something that demands greater transparency and explanation. Why RTE decided not to publish (broadcast) it requires explanation.’
Questioned on their decision not to broadcast Mr Ross’s interview on Today with Claire Byrne, RTE said: ‘Broadcasters have editorial independence to decide what they cover and broadcast.
‘That is a principle the BAI acknowledge.
‘With many competing stories and items each day, it is not unusual for a pre-recorded interview not to be broadcast.’
The state broadcaster added: ‘In this instance, we decided on other editorial priorities.’
