Broadcast rules could stifle referendum debate, say children’s rights advocates

Campaigners in the children’s referendum have warned that broadcasting rules in the lead-up to the vote could inhibit coverage of the issues and stifle debate on the proposed change to the Constitution.

RTÉ chiefs will meet later this week to discuss the dilemma of covering the campaigns and adhering to broadcasting guidelines.

Children’s rights advocates have rejected claims the referendum is a waste of money and said a yes vote would lead to huge legal and cultural changes for young people. Launching a national campaign for a yes vote in the Nov 10 referendum, children’s groups said they would work together.

ISPCC chief executive Ashley Balbirnie said his organisation would “tap into an army of volunteers”.

Children’s Rights Alliance chief executive Tanya Ward said there was concern about the practice in broadcasting of giving equal coverage for opposing sides in referendum debates. Only a limited number of individuals have so far emerged on the no side.

Ms Ward said all major groups working with children, as well as the main political parties, supported the amendment.

“It is a problem that there won’t be enough people on the no side to really get the debate going. People need to understand what the amendment is about and what impact it is going to have on their children and on their family life.”

The practice of giving equal airtime is not specified in law but is based on guidelines from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as well as two previous court rulings known as the McKenna and Coughlan judgements.

RTÉ director general Noel Curran will head a meeting on the issue on Thursday with other station chiefs. It is understood there is no concern about how news coverage is split, but that balanced consideration must be given to debates for programmes such as Prime Time and the Frontline.

Retired Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness said there was a possibility that apathy could set in if coverage of the yes campaign was too strong.

“Our difficulty might be that people might lie back and say everybody’s agreeing to this, we won’t bother to come out and vote. It would be important that everybody understands the necessity to exercise their right to vote in this campaign.”