RTÉ rejects criticism of coverage

RTÉ has rejected criticism of its coverage of last night’s press conference at which details of Ireland’s application for a bailout were revealed.

The broadcaster insisted it never intended to censor Vincent Browne's questioning of Taoiseach Brian Cowen at the press conference.

Browne was subjecting the Taoiseach to a strong line of questioning when RTÉ returned to the studio.

In a statement issued by RTÉ News this evening, it said it was "far from being the case" that it cut off its live feed and returned to the studio because Browne works for a rival broadcaster TV3.

The statement said that it cut away after four "fairly similar questions" from Browne.

The station also cut away from the press conference because it was getting too close to the Nine O'Clock News, for which a huge audience was expected.

“RTÉ News is satisfied that it covered yesterday’s events fully and appropriately.”

There was criticism too of RTÉ's not broadcasting live the Green Party press conference which effectively pulled the plug on the Government.

RTÉ's Pat Kenny Show continued to broadcast an item with accordion player Liam O'Connor at the same time as the Green Party leader John Gormley called for a date to be set for a general election by the end of January.

RTÉ said it received "very little notice" of the press conference which was announced at short notice and it was not possible to arrange a live feed.

Dozens of viewers vented their anger on Twitter and RTÉ's Facebook page over both items, arguing that Sky News and the BBC covered both press conferences in greater detail.