Arts Council to raise concerns with RTE over programming

The Arts Council is to raise RTÉ's arts programming with the national broadcaster.

The matter will be discussed at a meeting between Arts Council director Mary Cloake and RTÉ director general Cathal Goan at a meeting scheduled for later this month.

This follows the controversial decision to move the afternoon RTÉ Radio arts programme Rattlebag to a late-night slot.

"We are aware in outline of RTÉ's plans for a new arts programme at 11pm on RTÉ Radio 1, in addition to increased arts coverage as part of mainstream daytime radio," said Ms Cloake yesterday.

"I await clarification of how plans for increased daytime coverage will work in practice. However, I would be concerned if the arts are to be marginalised exclusively into late-night broadcasting.

Ms Cloake said the Arts Council also had a long-standing concern about the absence of an arts correspondent in the newsroom. Such a person would be an advocate in RTÉ for the arts, she said.

She said she looked forward to "a comprehensive and reassuring discussion" with RTÉ.

"If we are to match our economy with a well-balanced society, the arts have an important role to play.

"RTÉ, as the public-service broadcaster funded by the taxpayer, is fundamental to this crucial role," she said.

Head of RTÉ Radio 1 Ana Leddy has said the changes in the schedules were to increase the audience for high-quality radio. She said the new arrangement "gives us the freedom to explore the arts in an edgy, more experimental way".