RTE News coverage of Donegal Accident

speakeasy900 · 12-07-2010 1:51pm #1

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0712/rta.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/10594606.stm

I don't know how long these links will work for, of if they will be updated, but at this current time of 13:48 on Monday 12th July 2010, the BBC have far more in depth coverage of this tragic incident in Donegal.

Surely our national broadcaster has an obligation to cover this story to the best of their ability. It shouldn't be the case that BBC Northern Ireland has more information on this major accident.

Riskymove · 12-07-2010 1:56pm

whatever about the brief posting on their website, I heard all the info mentioned on the BBC article on RTE radio this morning

Venom · 12-07-2010 2:00pm

The difference in both the quality and level of detail between those two articles is just stunning

speakeasy900 · 12-07-2010 2:10pm

Venom wrote: »

The difference in both the quality and level of detail between those two articles is just stunning

IN fairness to RTE they do now have video online and they had a live report from there. But the online text content is very poor.

bonerm · 12-07-2010 2:36pm

When I want to find out about the FT's of League of Ireland soccer games I go to the bbc website. You could be waiting hours-days for RTE to get round to it.

Says it all really when it comes to RTE v BBC reporting as far as I'm concerned.

Riskymove · 12-07-2010 4:36pm

latest

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0712/breaking5.html

Elmo · 12-07-2010 8:39pm

You really have to look at TV/Radio news coverage of the incident. RTÉ News on the web is very always a very minimal version of their Radio and TV news.

http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=40729&locID=1.2.&pagename=news

http://www.u.tv/News/Eight-killed-in-Donegal-car-crash/88037f98-31c1-4199-b372-ed4b64b9aa26

The BBC tend to write their website articles like you would a news paper article. Most of what is said in the BBC article is quotes from their reporter on the scene and some condolences.

Either way it is a dreadful tragedy.

siltirocker · 12-07-2010 8:47pm

I may be putting my foot in it and i by no means mean to belittle the incident. But i find with RTE News is that if it doesn't happen in Dublin they do not give half a fcuk. Same with the Independent.

Aidric · 12-07-2010 8:51pm

siltirocker wrote: »

I may be putting my foot in it and i by no means mean to belittle the incident. But i find with RTE News is that if it doesn't happen in Dublin they do not give half a fcuk. Same with the Independent.

There is an element of that at times but not in this instance. It was the lead on 6.1 today, featured in the first two reports plus a live update from a reporter at the scene. This was followed later in the bulletin by interviews with local representatives including the parish priest.

Atlantic Dawn · 12-07-2010 9:00pm

I think they are toning in down until tomorrow then they will likely show pics of the actual car.

mal1 · 12-07-2010 9:27pm

Sorry for the off topic post but TV3 are showing some documentary called 'Rampage - Cars out of Control'. Is it a little insensitive? I know ITV changed it's schedule after the Cumbria shootings.

Einstein · 12-07-2010 9:42pm

mal1 wrote: »

Sorry for the off topic post but TV3 are showing some documentary called 'Rampage - Cars out of Control'. Is it a little insensitive? I know ITV changed it's schedule after the Cumbria shootings.

The fact that this just happened should almost be the very reason why it shouldn'tbe cancelled...
People need to see first hand the effects this has on people...

If one person's death is prevented due to that tv programme being shown, it's done it's job.

Skid · 12-07-2010 10:01pm

RTE news on the web rarely give much detail to their stories.

I don't know how their news department operates, but it is almost as if the stories as deliberately kept short enough to work as stories on Aertel.

The BBC report is far better - RTE need to get their act together.

fontanalis · 12-07-2010 10:04pm

mal1 wrote: »

Sorry for the off topic post but TV3 are showing some documentary called 'Rampage - Cars out of Control'. Is it a little insensitive? I know ITV changed it's schedule after the Cumbria shootings.

It's TV3, I wouldn't expect much of them, sensitivity/tact included. They'll probably have "I had Bigfoots Baby" on any time soon.

RH149 · 12-07-2010 10:12pm

TV3 didn't actually show that Rampage documentary....I thought it was the remote playing up but while it said on the Guide that it was showing 'Rampage....' what was actually broadcast was some repeat rubbish documentary about 'Brits going wild abroad'...gangs on stag/hen weekends in Prague. Now it makes sense why they didn't show the original programme.

Elmo · 12-07-2010 10:29pm

RH149 wrote: »

what was actually broadcast was some repeat rubbish documentary about 'Brits going wild abroad'...gangs on stag/hen weekends in Prague. .

They can't win.

The BBC report is far better - RTE need to get their act together.

I would agree BBC web reports are generally far more detailed than RTÉ's. But as I said the BBC just transcribe much of what their reporter said. I don't really understand why neither RTÉ/BBC don't just provide the reporters' reports in full rather than a very minor version or in the BBC's case a rewrite.

mal1 · 12-07-2010 10:55pm

RH149 wrote: »

TV3 didn't actually show that Rampage documentary....I thought it was the remote playing up but while it said on the Guide that it was showing 'Rampage....' what was actually broadcast was some repeat rubbish documentary about 'Brits going wild abroad'...gangs on stag/hen weekends in Prague. Now it makes sense why they didn't show the original programme.

Ok, that makes sense. I'm not the sensitive type but thought that TV3 might be lining themselves up for come criticism if they showed the scheduled programme.

Barname · 12-07-2010 11:00pm

What is the OP seeking?

8 people are dead. It was reported this morning. nothing has changed.

It is History, much like the occupants of the car.

Wake up Donegal, slow down.

RIP all concerned

speakeasy900 · 13-07-2010 1:50am

Barname wrote: »

What is the OP seeking?

8 people are dead. It was reported this morning. nothing has changed.

It is History, much like the occupants of the car.

Wake up Donegal, slow down.

RIP all concerned

I was seeking debate on how our own national news service has let us down, at least for online content (which is where more and more people check the news). If you are suggesting there was no point in reporting this incident in detail, then how will people learn of the immediate emotion and impact this tragedy has?

Fighting Irish · 13-07-2010 1:52am

speakeasy900 wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0712/rta.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/10594606.stm

I don't know how long these links will work for, of if they will be updated, but at this current time of 13:48 on Monday 12th July 2010, the BBC have far more in depth coverage of this tragic incident in Donegal.

Surely our national broadcaster has an obligation to cover this story to the best of their ability. It shouldn't be the case that BBC Northern Ireland has more information on this major accident.

It's not really a story that affects many people

Fighting Irish · 13-07-2010 1:53am

speakeasy900 wrote: »

I was seeking debate on how our own national news service has let us down, at least for online content (which is where more and more people check the news). If you are suggesting there was no point in reporting this incident in detail, then how will people learn of the immediate emotion and impact this tragedy has?

you can't learn common sense

speakeasy900 · 13-07-2010 2:51am

Fighting Irish wrote: »

It's not really a story that affects many people

Eight of our fellow citizens lost, countless other friends and relatives left devastated, we are one of the most car dependent countries in the world, young men losing their lives on our roads all the time.... it's a story that "doesnt effect many people". Are you sure about that?

speakeasy900 · 13-07-2010 2:53am

Fighting Irish wrote: »

you can't learn common sense

so there should be no in depth report of such a major incident?

JonathanAnon · 13-07-2010 3:30am

I think RTE dealt with the accident with adequate sensitivity.

I dont get the whole "this is a terrible tragedy that has befallen upon our community" type soundbytes that local priests, TDs etc etc deliver in these such incidents though.. Someone is to blame for this, and if as a state we are prepared to make criminals out of old people having a couple of pints and driving home from the local, then we should similarly be prepared to point the finger of blame where gratuitous speed (for the purpose of showing off) is concerned. I am course, speaking generally about these types of accidents, a number of which happened in my own locality and received similarly "sensitive" treatment on the news.

Elmo · 13-07-2010 9:55am

speakeasy900 wrote: »

so there should be no in depth report of such a major incident?

I think that this thread should be re-named, and the Donegal Accident taken as an example of RTÉ News' coverage of events outside Dublin.

Last Nights Six One. http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1076648

Barname · 13-07-2010 9:59am

JonathanAnon wrote: »

Someone is to blame for this, and if as a state we are prepared to make criminals out of old people having a couple of pints and driving home from the local, then we should similarly be prepared to point the finger of blame where gratuitous speed (for the purpose of showing off) is concerned. I am course, speaking generally about these types of accidents, a number of which happened in my own locality and received similarly "sensitive" treatment on the news.

spot on

too many 'legends' and 'martyrs' being venerated rather than being held up as the dick-heads they are

slow down shite hawks

20goto10 · 13-07-2010 10:24am

What is RTE's obsession with interviewing "church goers". As if it has any relevance. They also interviewed a priest who talked about peoples anguish at God for letting this happen. ffs, talk about making light of a serious situation. How about some serious reporting about the boy racer culture in Donegal and that area in general? How about some background on the driver and the poor unfortunate pensioner who was as good as murdered.

Let us pray my fcuking arse.

Barname · 13-07-2010 10:37am

20goto10 wrote: »

What is RTE's obsession with interviewing "church goers". As if it has any relevance. They also interviewed a priest who talked about peoples anguish at God for letting this happen. ffs, talk about making light of a serious situation. How about some serious reporting about the boy racer culture in Donegal and that area in general? How about some background on the driver and the poor unfortunate pensioner who was as good as murdered.

Let us pray my fcuking arse.

well said.

MargeS · 13-07-2010 11:17am

20goto10 wrote: »

How about some serious reporting about the boy racer culture in Donegal and that area in general? How about some background on the driver and the poor unfortunate pensioner who was as good as murdered.

Because, until there is an outcome from an investigation, it cannot be assumed by the media that the lads were speeding/joyriding/racing. That's not fair on the families. You can't really know what happened from your sitting room chair.

20goto10 · 13-07-2010 11:40am

MargeS wrote: »

Because, until there is an outcome from an investigation, it cannot be assumed by the media that the lads were speeding/joyriding/racing. That's not fair on the families. You can't really know what happened from your sitting room chair.

True enough. But 8 young lads crammed into a passat, its fairly safe to assume. Besides, they could report on the boy racer culture without making any false accusations. People can draw their own conclusions if they want. I certainly see no need to report on how "all people can do is pray" or a priests religious slant on the incident and how he sympathises with peoples anguish at God. It's completely irrelavent and atrocious journalism.

JonathanAnon · 13-07-2010 12:00pm

MargeS wrote: »

Because, until there is an outcome from an investigation, it cannot be assumed by the media that the lads were speeding/joyriding/racing.

well I tried to make my statement general enough so as not to speculate about this particular incident but I'm prepared to bet that the accident was neither the woman they clipped earlier up the road, nor the poor 66 year old man in the other car.

But instead of the RSA coming out with their generic "bad male driver" ads, it's about time that they blamed the boy racer culture that has been allowed to develop in this country. We all know them, the w@nkers that converge on Tesco car parks late at night, speeding and doing donuts, handbrake turns etc etc.

imo, engine sizes for those under 25 should be limited at 1.1L. They can do less damage when they inevitably crash, and there will be less of an incentive to speed,do handbrakers etc etc in a car that isnt as "cool"..

note: item about it on newstalk now with RSA Head Officer Gay Byrne

Fighting Irish · 13-07-2010 12:43pm

speakeasy900 wrote: »

Eight of our fellow citizens lost, countless other friends and relatives left devastated, we are one of the most car dependent countries in the world, young men losing their lives on our roads all the time.... it's a story that "doesnt effect many people". Are you sure about that?

It affects the people who are close to the people who died, but why do i need details about some car crash?

Fighting Irish · 13-07-2010 12:44pm

speakeasy900 wrote: »

so there should be no in depth report of such a major incident?

by rte?
what's the point?

20goto10 · 13-07-2010 1:11pm

Fighting Irish wrote: »

It affects the people who are close to the people who died, but why do i need details about some car crash?

Thats a fair point. But its more the overall safety of Irish roads that is of national concern.

silkcutmauve · 13-07-2010 1:15pm

I think RTE did a good job, interviewing the priest and the comments of Jim McDaid were hard to listen to. They got the message across. I think rural communities must come together and we all have to stop arguing over fault.

This is the kind of issue where a RISE! organisation would do well.

God help all of those killed and injured and their families and friends.

20goto10 · 13-07-2010 1:26pm

silkcutmauve wrote: »

God help all of those killed and injured and their families and friends.

It's a bit late to be asking God for help for the victims :rolleyes:

JonathanAnon · 13-07-2010 2:16pm

Gay Byrne was on earlier.. He said that a few of the lads got a lift in the Passat, leaving their own cars outside the pub so as not to be drink driving .... Gay seemed to think that the fact that the other guys did not drink and drive was some sort of success for the RSA. I just dont understand how he can say that "there is a huge problem with the group of male 17-24 years of age".. and then does nothing to target that group..

20goto10 · 13-07-2010 2:52pm

JonathanAnon wrote: »

Gay Byrne was on earlier.. He said that a few of the lads got a lift in the Passat, leaving their own cars outside the pub so as not to be drink driving .... Gay seemed to think that the fact that the other guys did not drink and drive was some sort of success for the RSA. I just dont understand how he can say that "there is a huge problem with the group of male 17-24 years of age".. and then does nothing to target that group..

I can hear his patronising tone of voice...

Fighting Irish · 13-07-2010 3:05pm

20goto10 wrote: »

Thats a fair point. But its more the overall safety of Irish roads that is of national concern.

99% of irish roads are grand, it's the way people drive
We have all drove on dodgy roads when it's pissing down(or whatever) and we don't all crash and die, there are just some people that can't be saved

irishgeo · 13-07-2010 10:19pm

the irony of interviewing jim mc daid on road safety.

driving the wrong way down a motorway while pissed, he could have killed someone.

Fighting Irish · 13-07-2010 11:03pm

20goto10 wrote: »

Thats a fair point. But its more the overall safety of Irish roads that is of national concern.

So if RTE had more details than BBC then that would make our roads safer?

20goto10 · 14-07-2010 12:53pm

Fighting Irish wrote: »

99% of irish roads are grand, it's the way people drive
We have all drove on dodgy roads when it's pissing down(or whatever) and we don't all crash and die, there are just some people that can't be saved

I wasn't referring to the condition of the roads but the safety level when driving with wreckless dirvers.

Having said that the infrastructure is in a serious state of disrepair and even new some surfaces are of a very poor standard (parts of the M50 are far too bumpy for example). Not to mention their hap-hazard layout, narrow roads and dangerous bends. Yes its all fine if you drive safely. But thats the problem, people don't drive safely and we need roads that take this into account. Wider lanes, visible bends, properly surfaced, sign posts, consistency in layout and junctions etc etc There is so much to complain about but I do agree the main issue here is wrecklessness. We need to drive as if our life is in danger, because it is.

20goto10 · 14-07-2010 12:56pm

Fighting Irish wrote: »

So if RTE had more details than BBC then that would make our roads safer?

What? No I am criticising RTE's journalism. Whether they had more details or not, religion has nothing to do with the issue they are reporting on.

Even still they are at it. Still nothing of significance to report on so instead they are reporting on ther funerals. Dead people have funerals, whats the news?

And considering the funerals are on different days, are we now in for 3, 4, 5 days of headline news. Victim A gets buried, victim B gets buried. As has been said already, why should anyone care. The only thing of national concern is road safety, for which this should reopen a serious debate on. But instead our national broadcaster is more concerned with the opinions of church goers and priests and funeral arangements. Its totally bizarre.

JonathanAnon · 14-07-2010 1:12pm

It was reported last nite that a guy travelling on the same road had flashed them (to say slow down) as they overtook him with speed.

One of the the guy's Uncles was on DriveTime yesterday and said that the guy who was driving was the designated driver that night, and that they were on the way to a nightclub in Buncrana.

Fighting Irish · 14-07-2010 1:13pm

20goto10 wrote: »

What? No I am criticising RTE's journalism. Whether they had more details or not, religion has nothing to do with the issue they are reporting on.

Even still they are at it. Still nothing of significance to report on so instead they are reporting on ther funerals. Dead people have funerals, whats the news?

And considering the funerals are on different days, are we now in for 3, 4, 5 days of headline news. Victim A gets buried, victim B gets buried. As has been said already, why should anyone care. The only thing of national concern is road safety, for which this should reopen a serious debate on. But instead our national broadcaster is more concerned with the opinions of church goers and priests and funeral arangements. Its totally bizarre.

What can RTE say? Don't hit other cars, Don't speed, Don't be reckless

20goto10 · 14-07-2010 1:20pm

Fighting Irish wrote: »

What can RTE say? Don't hit other cars, Don't speed, Don't be reckless

Well if they have nothing to say then they should say nothing. What exactly are they trying to do? Because it looks to me like they are trying to gather the nation in prayer. Like I say, its hardly worthy of being called journalism.

I'm not a journalist but if they are going to report on a car crash on the national news (a bit unusual in itself) I would expect it to concentrate on the national issue of road safety. The talk where I am from (Dublin) when this news broke was of the boy racer culture in Donegal and the North of Ireland in general. I would have liked to have seen some investigative journalism into what is the core disease on Irish roads. not immediately obviously, but they've had time now to get a report of significance together but they're still spouting sh!te about funerals. wtf? What exactly is the story they are reporting?

Elmo · 14-07-2010 1:59pm

20goto10 wrote: »

Well if they have nothing to say then they should say nothing. What exactly are they trying to do? Because it looks to me like they are trying to gather the nation in prayer. Like I say, its hardly worthy of being called journalism.

I'm not a journalist but if they are going to report on a car crash on the national news (a bit unusual in itself) I would expect it to concentrate on the national issue of road safety. The talk where I am from (Dublin) when this news broke was of the boy racer culture in Donegal and the North of Ireland in general. I would have liked to have seen some investigative journalism into what is the core disease on Irish roads. not immediately obviously, but they've had time now to get a report of significance together but they're still spouting sh!te about funerals. wtf? What exactly is the story they are reporting?

There does seem to be a "boyracer" culture in Donegal but someone in Donegal may verify that. As pointed out in the news reports Donegal has a high number of accidents in comparison with the rest of the country. However this "boyracer" mentality does seem to be the cause of this accident.

However like most TV news reporting we hear allot of talk about whats happening now rather than waiting to report on the investigation that is currently taking place.

fontanalis · 14-07-2010 3:15pm

20goto10 wrote: »

Well if they have nothing to say then they should say nothing. What exactly are they trying to do? Because it looks to me like they are trying to gather the nation in prayer. Like I say, its hardly worthy of being called journalism.

I'm not a journalist but if they are going to report on a car crash on the national news (a bit unusual in itself) I would expect it to concentrate on the national issue of road safety. The talk where I am from (Dublin) when this news broke was of the boy racer culture in Donegal and the North of Ireland in general. I would have liked to have seen some investigative journalism into what is the core disease on Irish roads. not immediately obviously, but they've had time now to get a report of significance together but they're still spouting sh!te about funerals. wtf? What exactly is the story they are reporting?

I think Prime Time done a special on it a few years ago. The country is full of young muppets who I wouldn't let iron my shirt let alone get behind the wheel of a car.

amacachi · 14-07-2010 5:22pm

Not so much an RTÉ issue, but why had all the papers just got photos of the 7 highly intelligent young men who were in the one car but no picture of the innocent pensioner caught up in it?

Elmo · 14-07-2010 6:48pm

amacachi wrote: »

Not so much an RTÉ issue, but why had all the papers just got photos of the 7 highly intelligent young men who were in the one car but no picture of the innocent pensioner caught up in it?

Do we know who was at fault that night? I know he was playing Bingo but older people also drink. I also realize that the Passat was carrying too many passengers.

I am trying to be as delicate as possible with that statement.

monkeypants · 14-07-2010 6:53pm

Elmo wrote: »

but older people also drink.

From what I read in the paper yesterday, he was a teetotaller who went home early to avoid people coming out of pubs.

RTE News coverage of Donegal Accident

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