No way back for ‘Prime Time Investigates’

RTÉ’s award-winning current affairs series Prime Time Investigates has been taken off the air for good.

The show, which was responsible for the hugely damaging and defamatory ‘Mission To Prey’ programme, has been shelved in an attempt to rebuild public trust.

Noel Curran, the director general of RTÉ, announced the move as part of wide- ranging reforms in its personnel, management and operations in the current affairs division.

“Mistakes will happen in broadcasting and in journalism, no matter what changes are made,” he said.

“Programme makers must be and will be supported in making challenging programming.”

Ed Mulhall, managing director of news and current affairs has retired from the organisation with effect from last month after 14 years in the job.

Mr Mulhall said: “It has been a privilege to have been entrusted with the important responsibilities of director of news and MD of news and current affairs and to have worked with such professional and dedicated colleagues.”

Ken O’Shea has resigned as editor of current affairs after three-and-a-half years in the role but stays in RTÉ transferring to a new role in television, reporting to the commissioning editor for RTÉ Two.

Elsewhere, all editorial staff will be trained in new journalism guidelines which have been developed over the last three months.

Mr Curran said: “Through these new measures and structures and their robust operation, programme makers from the most junior to the highest level will clearly understand and accept their responsibility and role in rebuilding RTÉ’s reputation for very high quality journalism.

“It is only through great programming that we will rebuild whatever trust we have lost with our audiences. We are determined to achieve that.”

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has completed its investigation into the Prime Time Investigates programme which defamed Fr Kevin Reynolds.

It has ruled on whether the national broadcaster breached regulations in the controversial documentary and what sanctions, if any, it must face, including a fine of up to €250,000.

It is understood the full report into the affair will be published at a later date.

RTÉ has 14 days to respond and accept the findings of former BBC executive Anna Carragher or to lodge an appeal.

Late last year, Mr Mulhall and Mr O’Shea stood aside after Fr Reynolds sued the broadcaster over the ‘Mission To Prey’ programme, aired on May 23 last.

The programme wrongly accused the missionary priest of raping a minor and fathering a child while working in Kenya 30 years ago.

Fr Reynolds accepted an out-of-court settlement reported to be up to seven figures.

RTÉ has also convened an external investigation board to look into what went wrong in ‘Mission To Prey’ and report to the head of human resources at the broadcaster.