RTÉ ‘stars’ send the wrong signals

I FEEL compelled to express my dismay at the remuneration and work practices exercised by our state broadcaster RTÉ.

Approaching my 70th year, having never received or sought state aid or benefit, and given the current plight of many fellow-citizens, I find it increasingly unbearable to reconcile the working practices and salaries afforded to our so-called top broadcasters.

I am struck by the irony of the RTÉ News and Current Affairs department’s enthusiastic reporting and investigation of the Government’s indifference to and lack of true empathy with to the plight of many Irish people.

Yet the remuneration packages, working practices, hours on air, annual leave, etc, of RTÉ’s top broadcasters emulate and reinforce this lack of understanding. I must question how RTÉ can maintain true objectivity when many of its current affairs and social interest radio programmes are sponsored by commercial organisations.

How can RTÉ reconcile all of this with its stated vision “to grow the trust of the people of Ireland as it informs, inspires, reflects and enriches their lives”.

Having never knowingly committed any offence within this state, I am motivated now to call on all TV licence-holders to withhold payment until some sense of social justice prevails concerning the remuneration and work practices of RTÉ and it returns to nurturing and reflecting the cultural and regional diversity of all the people of Ireland.

John O’Brien

Garryowen House

Enaghroe

Fedamore

Co Limerick