A new programme exploring the world of media begins today on RT╔ Radio 1 at 1.30 p.m. Media Vox will take a look at issues in publishing, broadcasting, PR, advertising and the electronic media, taking up where its predecessor, Soundbyte, left off in May of last year. Producer Yetti Redmond says the programme will take the point of view of the media user rather than the media practitioner and will seek opinions from those who don't often get asked. For example, a debate on crime coverage will kick off with a report from Mountjoy Prison, giving the views of convicted criminals on media coverage of crime.
A regular feature will be the soapbox where guests will have a chance to get any media-induced grievances off their chests. Listeners will also be encouraged to have their say on media matters via e-mail to mediavox@rte.ie. Media Vox is presented by Brian Trench, lecturer in journalism at Dublin City University.
Television producers are invited to submit documentaries for a new competition, The Radharc Award, which has been established in memory of the late Father Joe Dunn. More than 40 years ago, in the run-up to the establishment of what was then Teilifis ╔ireann, Father Dunn approached Archbishop John Charles McQuaid about the possibility of contributing religious programming to the fledgling broadcaster.
Archbishop McQuaid agreed with the idea and sent Father Dunn and his colleague, Father Des Forristal, to New York to study television production. The two priests then founded Radharc Films, which was the first independent television production company in Ireland. The first Radharc programme was broadcast within days of the broadcaster going on air. The team went on to produce over 400 documentaries on social and religious issues for RT╔, between 1961 and 1997, thus becoming one of the longest running programmes on Irish television. Father Joe Dunn died in 1996.
In what's described as an attempt to keep the spirit of Radharc alive, the award is open to documentaries that address national or international topics of social justice, morality or faith. Programmes must have been broadcast for the first time between September 1st, 1999, and August 31st, 2001, on any free-to-air channel receivable in Ireland. Further details can be obtained on www.radharcfilms.com and the closing date for entries is November 16th, 2001. Entry forms are available from The Radharc Award, c/o 38 Tudor Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. The award is presented under the aegis of ICCTRA - The Irish Churches' Council for Television and Radio Affairs.
RT╔'s Bull Island team is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting year in Irish politics with a general election looming in the not-too-distant future. The production team has been recording and writing for the new series, which kicks off in a new slot from Thursday October 25th at 8.30 p.m. The new series producer Alan Robinson, who replaces John Keogh, has promised to introduce some new characters to the show, but remains cagey about who they might be. He says politicians will be satirised in a more aggressive way than was previously the case on Bull Island. A recurring scenario throughout the new series will see some of our best and bravest politicians stranded on a deserted Treasure Island-style location. But instead of searching for treasure, their task is to mould the island in the image of Ireland, which brings an entirely different set of challenges.
The finals of RT╔'s New Comedy Awards 2001 for stand-up comedians will take place at HQ in Dublin on Thursday, October 18th and Thursday, 25th October at 8 p.m. Out of more than 100 entries, 16 finalists will take to the stage in front of a live audience and will be joined by guest performer Jason Byrne. The winning four will go forward to battle it out for the top prize on the Late Late Show on Friday, November 9th. Judges on that night will include Rosaleen Linehan, Gerry Stembridge and Deirdre O'Kane.
The RT╔ New Comedian of the Year will receive a cash prize of £1,000 as well as a development and marketing support grant from the comedy unit in RT╔'s entertainment department.
Tickets for the HQ shows can be purchased from Ticketmaster for £10.
The Popstars roadshow comes to an end in Dublin tomorrow with just one more chance for would-be popstars to strut their stuff in an audition for a new pop act. Auditions in Galway, Cork and Belfast, which were filmed for the Popstars TV programme, attracted hundreds of ambitious singers from around the country in the past few weeks.
The final audition, which is open to all over-18s, takes place in Jury's Tara Hotel in Booterstown all day. Popstars will be broadcast on RT╔ beginning on November 25th.
On Thursday, Bob Collins, director-general of RT╔, presented a bound copy of RT╔'s book of condolence to the US ambassador, Richard Egan. The messages of condolence were recorded on RT╔'s website www.rte.ie. A record number of e-mails were logged in response to the terrorist attacks with 17,500 e-mails recorded in the 12 days after the attacks.
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mkearney@irish-times.com