Authority to hold RTÉ inquiry

AN INVESTIGATING officer is to conduct an inquiry into the RTÉ Prime Time Investigates – Mission to Preyprogramme broadcast on May 23rd last, the compliance committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland decided at a meeting yesterday.

The inquiry will examine whether the programme segment which defamed Fr Kevin Reynolds breached sections of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which stipulate broadcasters have a duty to ensure treatment of current affairs is fair, objective and impartial, and that the privacy of any individual is not encroached on unreasonably.

In a brief statement, the committee said in arriving at its decision it had taken into account the legislative obligation placed on it by the Broadcasting Act 2009 to represent the public interest in respect of broadcasting matters, and the significant public concern in relation to the programme.

It considered the request last Tuesday, November 22nd, from Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte on behalf of the Government that it investigate the programme and the correction order issued by the High Court in relation to the programme on Thursday, November 17th last.

The committee took into consideration the acknowledgment by RTÉ that the treatment and defamation of Fr Kevin Reynolds in the programme was a grave failure of judgment. Further details of the individual selected to undertake the investigation and the scope, terms of reference and timeline for the investigation will be published following the appointment of an investigating officer.

Members of the broadcasting authority’s compliance committee include its chairman Prof Chris Morash, NUI Maynooth; Aidine O’Reilly, managing director of Real Event Solutions; communications consultant Edel Hackett and solicitor Paula Mullooly.

It also includes journalist John Waters; Paula Downey, a partner with Downey Youell Associates; Ciarán Kissane, head of contract awards at the authority and Stephanie Comey, who had been director of the broadcasting funding scheme at the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.

Last week Mr Rabbitte said the programme had been discussed at a Cabinet meeting, at which it was decided "there should be an independent inquiry to determine the true facts and circumstances which led to the Prime Timeprogramme on Fr Reynolds being broadcast on RTÉ".

He requested the authority’s compliance committee would use its powers under section 53 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to determine whether RTÉ had met its statutory responsibilities regarding objectivity, impartiality and fairness, and would report on the matter within two months.