Watchdog opens probe into leaking of report

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has begun an inquiry into how documents from its investigations into the Fr Kevin Reynolds defamation scandal were leaked.

The media watchdog said it was dismayed that confidential briefing papers which severely criticised standards of journalism at RTÉ were released to the press.

RTÉ accused members of the watchdog of undermining its own regulations after a series of findings were passed on to The Irish Times before the broadcaster had a chance to answer them.

“The BAI has expressed its dismay and deep disappointment that information regarding an ongoing BAI investigation has entered the public domain,” said a spokeswoman.

The watchdog reiterated that the statutory investigation process was continuing and that RTÉ had until Apr 20 to respond to the report, which was handed over last Thursday.

RTÉ has been under increasing turmoil over the Prime Time Investigates documentary which defamed Fr Reynolds.

The broadcaster has seen head of news Ed Mulhall retire in the fallout and been hit with an undisclosed defamation payout estimated at being as high as €5m. It is also facing a fine of up to €250,000 from the BAI.

Findings on the affair by former BBC Northern Ireland controller, Anna Carragher, are being examined by RTÉ chiefs before a decision is made on whether to respond with submissions, seek an appeal in the High Court, or an oral hearing.

Kevin Dawson, RTÉ’s head of corporate communications, declined to comment directly on the findings, but said he feared the leak may prejudice the station’s response.

“RTÉ wishes to express its disappointment that this report has leaked in circumstances where it prejudices RTÉ’s response to the investigation, within an ongoing process, and prejudices the response of the programme makers as named individuals.

“If fair regulatory procedures are to apply, RTÉ and the production team must be allowed to make submissions to the BAI in response to the report, within the process.

“The leaking of the report has undermined that process. RTÉ will continue to observe the process, as it is required to do.”

He said the station would give a full account in due course.

Among the criticisms of the programme makers and the national broadcaster, it is understood the inquiry has singled out grossly inadequate notes by the editorial team, an almost complete absence of documentary evidence, a lack of scrutiny by the production team, and a failure to question colleagues. It also found that secondhand repetition of gossip was treated as corroboration.

It is understood the watchdog found that the Prime Time Investigates documentary was unfair to Fr Reynolds and in breach of his privacy.

It is widely expected that some figures involved in the broadcast will consider legal action over some of the findings.