NUJ challenges BAI ‘Mooney Show’ ruling on same-sex marriage support

The National Union of Journalists has written to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland expressing concern at the BAI Compliance Committee’s decision to uphold a complaint against RTÉ presenter Derek Mooney for "making several statements implicitly and explicitly supporting same- sex marriage".

Secretary Séamus Dooley said the advisory note issued by the BAI following the determination “has implications for radio and television coverage of a wide range of current affairs issues”.

“It effectively seeks to ensure that discussions take place in an adversarial environment, with programme makers forced to seek out alternative spokespersons to preserve the concept of ‘balance’ normally associated with electoral and referendum coverage,” he said.