RTÉ urged to serve up regional bulletins

RTÉ has been urged to consider establishing regional television news bulletins for each province.

The call was made by Co Cork-based TD Billy Kelleher following yesterday’s publication of the Draft Public Service Broadcasting Charter.

“The charter makes clear that RTÉ should not report and assess news events from a Dublin perspective alone. British Television has shown us how regional news bulletins are a key part of the schedules of both the BBC and ITV,” said the Glanmire-based deputy said.

He added that RTÉ already had much of the infrastructure to provide viewers across the country with localised news bulletins.

“Regional studios and correspondents are in place, but their work often appears to be sidelined by the Dublin-based newsroom. Giving over five or 10 minutes of each main television news bulletin to a local newscast would, I believe, give a platform to important regional stories.”

He said the charter clearly states that the State broadcaster is owned by the public and people deserve the same level of service no matter what part of the country they live in. “In my own area, RTÉ Cork, with programmes such as Nationwide, has shown that expertise when it comes to television is not confined to the leafy suburbs of Dublin 4. It is now time to build on that and make RTÉ a truly national public service broadcaster.”

Minister for Communications Dermot Ahern unveiled the charter yesterday. Its key elements include an assertion that events should not be assessed and reported from a Dublin perspective alone.

RTÉ will actively support the use of the Irish language in everyday life through the production of suitable programming and its programmes will be socially inclusive and shall reflect the lives and concerns of all walks of life in Ireland. The national broadcaster will also be obliged to take into account the needs of those with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability.

Mr Ahern said he will initiate public consultation by inviting submissions from interested parties and the general public. An on-line forum will be established on the department’s website, www.dcmnr.ie.

Following consultation the minister will finalise the charter and bring it to the attention of government before publication.