24 Mar 2015, 14:05
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications will meet with representatives from RTE tomorrow to discuss governance at the state broadcaster, as well as the policies and procedures in place to prevent political bias in their programming and reporting.
24th March 2015
The Committee meets at 9.30am in Committee Room 4 tomorrow, Wednesday, 25th March 2015.
Appearing before the Committee will be:
• Ms Moya Doherty - Chairperson, RTÉ
• Mr Kevin Bakhurst -Deputy Director General, RTÉ
• Mr. Tom McGuire - Head of RTÉ Radio 1
• Mr. David Nally - Managing Editor RTÉ Television, Current Affairs
• Ms. Deirdre McCarthy - Political Assignments Editor, RTÉ News
Chairman, John O’Mahony, TD said: “A fair and unbiased media plays a huge part in any healthy democracy. The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications welcomes the opportunity to discuss the issue of impartial media coverage with RTE. As the General Election approaches, it is incumbent upon the media to ensure that all political coverage is fair, objective and impartial.”
“As the state broadcaster, RTE has a significant role to play in ensuring that their programming and reporting are unbiased. Also of importance is the fact that representatives from all sides of the political spectrum should be given equal amounts of airtime. The Committee believes that a fair hearing must be given to people from all walks of political life and we look forward to engaging with RTE on these matters.”
The meeting will start in Committee Room 4, Leinster House, on Wednesday, 25th March 2015 at 9.30am. Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
Media Enquiries:
Nuala Walsh,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.
P: +353 1 618 3437
M: +353 86 4100 898
Email: Nuala.Walsh@Oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership:
John O’Mahony (Chairman) (Fine Gael)
Deputies
Michael Colreavy (Sinn Féin); Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fáil); Dessie Ellis (Sinn Féin) ; Michael Fitzmaurice (Independent); Tom Fleming (Independent); Brendan Griffin (Fine Gael); Noel Harrington (Fine Gael); Seán Kenny (Labour); Eamonn Maloney (Labour); Michael McCarthy (Labour); Helen McEntee (Fine Gael); Michael Moynihan (Fianna Fáil); Patrick O’Donovan (Fine Gael); Brian Walsh (Fine Gael)
Senators
Terry Brennan (Fine Gael); Sean D. Barrett (Independent); Eamonn Coghlan (Fine Gael); Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fáil); Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil); John Whelan (Labour); Terry Brennan (Fine Gael); Sean D. Barrett (Independent); Eamonn Coghlan (Fine Gael); Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fáil); Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil); John Whelan (Labour)