BAI rejects charge of ‘stifling’ debate on gay marriage

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has rejected suggestions that recent rulings “stifled” debate on extending marriage rights to gay people.

Broadcaster Una Mullally yesterday said BAI findings against radio presenters Derek Mooney and Chris Donoghue denied her on-air publicity for her book In the Name of Love, a history of marriage equality in Ireland.

The BAI recently upheld complaints against RTÉ and Newstalk for comments on marriage equality by Mr Mooney and Mr Donoghue, ruling that their comments breached guidelines on balanced broadcasting.