Madam, - The controversy surrounding the documentary Fairytale of Kathmandu and the emotive allegations made against Mr Cathal Ó Searcaigh have whipped up public sentiment to the point of hysteria.
Given that it is a mere 15 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland and that much residual homophobia still remains, we believe it is irresponsible of RTÉ to broadcast it at this time and in its current form. There has not even been provision for a framing discussion before and after this documentary, which was always the tradition when dealing with sensitive subjects.
We believe there are serious breaches of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland's code of standards and that it is in the public interest to put some of these concerns into the public domain.
Section 3.2 of the BCI Code of Programme Standards, relating to the inclusion of sexual conduct during programme material, states that "detailed scenes of a sexual nature must have strong editorial justification in a factual context. . ."
The sexual scenes in the film are implied from context and interviews but they involve real young people who do not have their anonymity protected.
The justification for exploiting the subjects of this film is that the director had an epiphany about "western exploitation". But there is no analysis of the film-maker's wonderings about the power of rich westerners and why she chooses her trusting friend to carry the weight of all the world's inequalities.
What are the issues that arise for anyone who makes prolonged stays in developing countries? At what point do relationships become exploitative, given that they are always in a context of economic inequality?
Section 3.4.2: of the code says: "Programme material shall not support or condone discrimination against any person or section of the community, in particular on the basis of age, gender. . .sexual orientation, disability, race or religion."
To suggest that this film is not about gender or sexual orientation is farcical. Whatever statements or intentions are professed by the film makers or RTÉ, some people may use this documentary to incite hatred against homosexuals. Had this documentary been attempted regarding a comparable heterosexual context, it would simply be a non-story.
When has RTÉ ever, in its long history, broadcast a documentary about the alleged sexual impropriety of a heterosexual, concerning consensual sex with someone over the age of consent?
Section 3.5.2 says: "Factual programming shall not contain material that could reasonably be expected to cause undue distress or offence unless it is editorially justified and in the public interest."
In our view, this programme causes undue distress to all those appearing in it and to their families and friends. There is no public interest to be served by feeding homophobic stereotypes of gay men. - Yours, etc,
MÁIRE MHAC AN tSAOI,
CONCUBHAR Ó LIATHÁIN,
MICHEAL Ó CONGHAILE
BRENDA NÍ SHUILLEABHÁIN,
GABRIEL ROSENSTOCK,
NUALA NÍ DOMNHAILL,
PADDY BUSHE,
HANS-CHRISTIAN OESER,
LILLIS Ó LAOIRE,
DEREK BALL
GORDON MACKENZIE,
Drimnagh,
Dublin 12.