It’s not just arty types who feel let down by RTÉ schedule changes

THE concerns voiced in the past week regarding the changes in the RTÉ Radio 1 schedule are not restricted to arty types and other assorted aficionados.

As a public representative, I have witnessed much anger among ordinary listeners in the past week.

In particular, those of the 30-to-50 age group who have grown out of 2FM and have gladly availed of the broader horizons offered by what is still our flagship station.

This anger has focused for many of us on the inexplicable decision to remove Mystery Train, a music programme which has won legions of new fans for the station and created a true broadcasting star in John Kelly.

The management of Today FM, and its Petsounds presenter Tom Dunne, must be laughing at RTÉ’s stupidity.

But it is the decision to scrap the Rattlebag programme that has angered virtually everybody with an interest in the arts.

For me, as a member of the non-expert segment of the community, the programme has been a learning tool of great value. Its ability to cover a broad range of subjects in an extraordinarily accessible manner has brought me, my family and the children I teach in the door of many an exhibition, cinema and theatre.

To switch arts programming to the region of ‘radio for drunks and insomniacs’, to paraphrase Pat Rabbitte, will kill this most important piece of programming.

Finally, the regional breadth of Rattlebag has rarely been seen in RTÉ’s output. This is now surely in peril. As a result of these concerns, I have begun an online petition against the proposed removal of the programme, which can be accessed through my website, www.ohargain.com.

I urge readers to make their views known through this forum.

Cllr Seán Ó hArgáin

‘Sceilg’

Greenshill

Kilkenny