RTÉ must defend news reporting record

RTÉ bosses will have to defend the station’s news reporting record before an Oireachtas watchdog next month following the controversy over TV news anchorman Bryan Dobson’s PR work.

RTÉ management will be asked how many full-time staff are involved in separate part-time activities that could be perceived to cause a conflict of interest. Station chiefs will be quizzed on codes of practice for staff in the national broadcaster after the Six One News presenter coached health board chief executives on how to answer journalists’ questions.

The Dáil Communications Committee is questioning RTÉ news balance as a result of the affair. Mr Dobson has admitted it was a mistake to be involved in the training course and RTÉ has admitted it made an error of judgement in allowing him to work with the company, Promedia, which provided the coaching.

RTÉ authority chairman Paddy Wright, director general Bob Collins and head of news Ed Mulhall will all appear before the committee next month.

Communications Committee chairman Noel O’Flynn said that RTÉ, like all media, has an obligation to present balanced and fair news reporting. RTÉ’s record to date in this regard will come under scrutiny: “As a Public Service Broadcaster, RTÉ is obliged to deliver unbiased and fair news coverage and, in light of a recent controversy concerning one of its key broadcasters, the Oireachtas Communications Committee will seek reassurances from the RTE Authority that it will honour its obligations.”

The conditions of the license fee increase to 150 granted last year included a commitment to greater transparency and accountability in the organisation, said Mr O’Flynn.

Last night, a spokesperson for RTÉ said the station and the officials concerned have no problem with appearing before the committee.

The committee will be specifically examining corporate governance within RTÉ and seeking details of any code of practice which the station has in place for staff members which addresses conflicts of interest and breaches by staff in direct employment of RTÉ.

“This has particular relevance in relation to staff of RTÉ who may have external consultancies or business interests that may be in conflict with the duty of the National Broadcaster to provide balanced and impartial news and current affairs coverage,” said Mr O’Flynn.

RTE has confirmed that Mr Dobson was given permission by Mr Mulhall to work with Promedia.