Gallagher: RTÉ’s on-air drama won out over truth

The defeated presidential candidate, Sean Gallagher has claimed RTÉ’s “desire to manufacture on-air drama won out over the truth” during the Frontline debate which derailed his election campaign.

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland upheld his complaint over a tweet read out during the Frontline debate on Oct 24. During the programme, Pat Kenny incorrectly claimed the tweet was from the official “Martin McGuinness for President” campaign.

Mr Gallagher argued that broadcasting a tweet which was incorrectly attributed was “indicative of a lack of objectivity and of partiality”, and that the Frontline, coupled with the following day’s Today With Pat Kenny radio show, was in breach of the fairness, objectivity and impartiality required under the Broadcasting Act.