RTE News afraid of "teh gay"

ding-dong

An email I just sent to newsdesk@rte.ie

Dear RTE News,

I am disgusted with the coverage RTE News had on gay rights over the weekend. First of all, the report on the civil partnership bill that aired last night on SixOne was appalling and inaccurate. Footage was used of protestors who were in fact protesting the civil partnership bill, not asking for it. What they were demanding was marriage equality yet the report implied that these people had now been granted their wish. To add insult to injury, I couldn't help but notice that there was no mention of the estimated 12,000 people who marched in Dublin today. Please explain to me how RTE News can do a story on the Archbishop of Dublin ordaining 3 priest, or on Leinster House family day and fail to mention the scene in the city centre today. Then again, this is the channel that did a report on Brian Cowen's nude art - and then apologized for it. As a taxpayer, I expect my national broadcaster to have at least a semblance of relevance and objectivity in the 21st century. Unfortunately, it would appear that despite a swanky new studio, RTE News still has trouble determining what actually constitutes as news. Why so shy, RTE? I'll be sticking to online news sites from now on.

All the best,
An ex-viewer

UPDATE: I've been alerted to the fact that RTE slipped a desperate 25 second report into their 9 O'Clock broadcast. You can see it here: http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0627/9news_av.html?2570347,null,230
RTE News ends the micro-report by saying: "some participants, unhappy with government plans for civil partnership and same-sex unions, ripped up a copy of the proposed civil partnership bill." Awkwardly vague...could be interpreted in several ways depending on the level of one's ignorance.

ixoy

Good on you - I see it got a bit of coverage on breakingnews but nothing on RTE. The breakingnews site also mentioned how the Bill was contentious and could create a two-tier system.

Goodshape

Just watched the 6.1 now on RTE Player. Seriously -- not a single mention! WTF?

Sent this myself to newsdesk@rte.ie :


Hello,

I'm writing to ask why an estimated 12,000 people marching in Dublin City today as part of the Gay Pride celebrations went virtually unreported during both the 6.1 and 9 O'Clock news and also on your website RTE.ie?

It seems totally bizarre to me that this extremely well attended march through our capital city - which is surly very topical at the moment (due in no small part to the recent publishing of the Civil Partnership Bill) - would not be with more airtime from our national broadcaster.


In furtherance to the above, having attended the event myself today I am shocked and disgusted at the blatant inconsistencies between your reporting of "Broad welcome for Civil Partnership Bill" (http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0626/6news.html) and the facts which were apparent to anyone attending the events this week. This bill is NOT supported by the majority of the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community is fighting for EQUALITY and the overwhelming consensus among the thousands on the streets today was that this 'Civil Partership' does not equate to equality and is mostly unwelcome.

To me this sound and reads like reporting through press releases. As a tax paying Irish citizen I consider this unacceptable behavior from a national broadcaster I help fund through annual television license fees.


An unhappy customer,

Nevyn

But yet they have the Oireachtas family day out mentioned on the website.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0627/oireachtas.html

Goodshape

Thaedydal wrote: »

But yet they have the Oireachtas family day out mentioned on the website.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0627/oireachtas.html

It got a good few minutes of telly-time on the Six-One too.

Hillel

ding-dong wrote: »

An email I just sent to newsdesk@rte.ie

Dear RTE News,

I am disgusted with the coverage RTE News had on gay rights over the weekend. First of all, the report on the civil partnership bill that aired last night on SixOne was appalling and inaccurate. Footage was used of protestors who were in fact protesting the civil partnership bill, not asking for it. What they were demanding was marriage equality yet the report implied that these people had now been granted their wish. To add insult to injury, I couldn't help but notice that there was no mention of the estimated 12,000 people who marched in Dublin today. Please explain to me how RTE News can do a story on the Archbishop of Dublin ordaining 3 priest, or on Leinster House family day and fail to mention the scene in the city centre today. Then again, this is the channel that did a report on Brian Cowen's nude art - and then apologized for it. As a taxpayer, I expect my national broadcaster to have at least a semblance of relevance and objectivity in the 21st century. Unfortunately, it would appear that despite a swanky new studio, RTE News still has trouble determining what actually constitutes as news. Why so shy, RTE? I'll be sticking to online news sites from now on.

All the best,
An ex-viewer

RTE is partially funded by the taxpayer and has a public service remit. I didn't see the report on the Civil Partnership Bill, so cannot comment. However, I would urge you to make a complaint to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, if you believe you have a strong case. Sticking to "0nline news sites" is not the answer. Get your friends to do the same.

The parade yesterday was fantastic. Well organized, fun and good humored. I would estimate the numbers at 10,000. The RTE report (9 o'clock news) was the absolute minimum they could get away with. Even then, they concentrated on the copies of the Civil Partnership Bill being torn up. I was absolutely disgusted. Whether this is grounds for a formal complaint, I simply don't know. However, I am seriously considering that approach.

Time Magazine

Yer best bet is to write in complaining to the Irish Times. RTÉ probably should have given it more time but marches are two a penny these days, it's not the crime of the century - BCC aren't going to do anything tbh.

I'd also have a big hard think if you actually think whether this is a case of it being discrimination, or whether they made a journalistic call that didn't go your way. I have no affiliation to RTÉ or anything, but I'd suspect it's most likely the latter.

Boston

The Economist wrote: »

Yer best bet is to write in complaining to the Irish Times. RTÉ probably should have given it more time but marches are two a penny these days, it's not the crime of the century - BCC aren't going to do anything tbh.

I'd also have a big hard think if you actually think whether this is a case of it being discrimination, or whether they made a journalistic call that didn't go your way. I have no affiliation to RTÉ or anything, but I'd suspect it's most likely the latter.

I doubt it was a journalistic call. RTE know their viewers and are very keen on self censorship.

Rev Hellfire

Boston wrote: »

I doubt it was a journalistic call. RTE know their viewers and are very keen on self censorship.

So what you're saying is that their viewers wouldn't be interested in such 'news'. I'm confused what was your point about them not showing the march again ?

Boston

Nothing, rather that it is a symptom of our times. I've noticed they either don't report or seriously down play anything which may negatively impact the government. Gone are the days when they would relish an opportunity to stick the knife in. I hasard a guess that this sudden change is the result of RTEs current financial crisis, a crisis which will require a government bail out.

All that said, I wonder what TV3's coverage was like?

Rev Hellfire

Boston wrote: »

Nothing, rather that it is a symptom of our times. I've noticed they either don't report or seriously down play anything which may negatively impact the government. Gone are the days when they would relish an opportunity to stick the knife in. I hasard a guess that this sudden change is the result of RTEs current financial crisis, a crisis which will require a government bail out.

You're probably right.

Boston wrote: »

All that said, I wonder what TV3's coverage was like?

Would anyone admit to watching it ?

abouttobebanned

RTE have a gay newsreader though. Probably irelevant but i just thought I'd throw it out there.

Arathorn

An article on the Irish Times website is currently the second most popular article according to their site. Obviously there is interest in the story, its a strange one from RTE.

Boston

abouttobebanned wrote: »

RTE have a gay newsreader though. Probably irelevant but i just thought I'd throw it out there.

Not really irrelevant, as the newsreader doesn't decide what to report. I can say there has always been a strong pink presence out at Donnybrook. Perhaps it's an over enthusiastic attempt to appear to be unbiased?

LegacyUser

RTE did feature a fairly long interview on their sunday news programme between 1 and 2 today, its called this week. It was with Colm O'Gorman and talked about what the bill failed to do for gay couples, he even called for a referendum to allow gay marriage.

No censorship from what I could hear. It was more coverage than alot of stations gave the issue this weekend, from listening around.

To say RTE has a gay newsreader, is so ridiculous. There are quite alot of gay people working in our state broadcaster, I would say as other contributors have mentioned, protests every week might have meant it fell between the stools, but given the bills publication during the week, it does seem strange.

darkraverTC

I didnt know people actually watched that brainwashing bull**** channel anymore.Id stick to online news

mobius42

abouttobebanned wrote: »

RTE have a gay newsreader though. Probably irelevant but i just thought I'd throw it out there.

Really? Who?

LookingFor

mobius42 wrote: »

Really? Who?

Tadhg Enright is definitely (and openly) gay. Though he is a reporter.

I think people rather suspect that other fella of being gay, but his name escapes me. He's a news reader, not a reporter, he's been with the station quite a long time now. I don't know if he's openly gay or not though, so dunno if it's appropriate to speculate. Appearances can be deceptive.

Anyway, is all kind of irrelevant. I sent an email to RTE asking them to explain their approach to this story in general, drawing comparisons with the 'grey protests' and the visibility and seriousness of the coverage afforded to each on RTE. Given the context, the larger civil rights issue hovering over the whole thing (if indeed it was not at the heart of the pride events), I think the sparse coverage is questionable.

Rick_

I always thought Derek Mooney was gay, ....is he? I'd be very surprised if he wasn't.

There is a very camp entertainment reporter on TTV on RTÉ TWO who seems to get shouted at and talked down to by a very talentless 'host' while he's trying to do his reports right before The Simpsons. Who is that talentless, shouty host guy and who decided it would be a good idea to have someone with his personality present a major programme strand for the channel?

mobius42

Paddy C wrote: »

I always thought Derek Mooney was gay, ....is he? I'd be very surprised if he wasn't.

He is, though he didn't ever say it. It was Des Bishop who said it on some radio show a good while back.

L1011

thought ray d'arcy was the one who accidentally outed mooney? If you listen to a week of his shows its very clear he's openly gay, he just hasn't felt the need to actually say what everyone already knows. Julian on utv was the same.

Aard

mobius42 wrote: »

Really? Who?

I saw Aengus Mac Griana in the George one night.

RLJ

abouttobebanned wrote: »

RTE have a gay newsreader though.

who is it? just curious

shoegirl

A few RTE newsreaders have turned up in the George over the years. A lot of straight people too. Means nothing. My straight siblings spend far more time in it than I do nowadays.

I suspect that there isn't a huge amount of interest in gay issues anymore, I wonder has the media simply been saturated with boring 120+ page documents on why we/shouldn't/would or wouldn't.

Sometimes I wonder should we try more "shock" tactics? Or would they be bored by that too?

That said, there is a lot of misunderstanding about the needs of gay families RE a fair adoption process and that is rarely put across clearly by gay activists. A lot of people don't realise that what this is about is the rights of the non-biological co-parent to establish proper legal ties to children who see them as "mum" or "Dad". We are NOT getting that across at all.

Snoogans

What has Derek Mooney said to suggest that he's gay?

Aard

Snoogans wrote: »

What has Derek Mooney said to suggest that he's gay?

Nothing out loud, but his eyes said it all when he looked at me in the Dragon.

dan719

Just thought I would bump this thread. RTE are currently running an ad for GAZE. Hopefully that puts the paranoia to bed.;)

L1011

RTE will run an ad for whoever pays them the required money, once the ad is legal.

Snoogans wrote: »

What has Derek Mooney said to suggest that he's gay?

Just listen to him for a week on air. Actually these days its more the comments of other people on the show (bit like Scott Mills) than Derek himself!

Deflector

And as for the Newsroom, playing Spot The Ghey isn't nearly as tricky as it used to be alas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJNvXUbKoBs&NR=1

senordingdong

ding-dong wrote: »

To add insult to injury, I couldn't help but notice that there was no mention of the estimated 12,000 people who marched in Dublin today.

how RTE News can do a story on the Archbishop of Dublin ordaining 3 priest,

There's your answer there.
As a state body they're probably still afraid of all the sway the church has.

Boston

They broadcast to their demographic.

shoegirl

Boston wrote: »

They broadcast to their demographic.

You're right and sadly that is about 90% hetero and not hugely pushed about the issues of gay couples or families. Lets not forget that huge chunks of the hetero community are still so unfazed by risks of chlamydia, syphilis or HIV that lots of them still cannot be bothered using condoms or even any form of contraception. All age groups, not just young folks.

Tricity Bendix

shoegirl wrote: »

Lets not forget that huge chunks of the hetero community are still so unfazed by risks of chlamydia, syphilis or HIV that lots of them still cannot be bothered using condoms or even any form of contraception.

Besides being way off topic, lack of protection is hardly a straights-only issue.

Iwasfrozen

shoegirl wrote: »

You're right and sadly that is about 90% hetero and not hugely pushed about the issues of gay couples or families. Lets not forget that huge chunks of the hetero community are still so unfazed by risks of chlamydia, syphilis or HIV that lots of them still cannot be bothered using condoms or even any form of contraception. All age groups, not just young folks.

Me thinks you've never heard of Gay "Bare Back" couples.

L1011

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Me thinks you've never heard of Gay "Bare Back" couples.

I don't think couples are the issue here... monogamous couples barebacking aren't really major transmission vectors! Its the people who aren't in couples doing it that are!

shoegirl

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Me thinks you've never heard of Gay "Bare Back" couples.

Thats different. And there is huge concern in the community about it.

A lot of heteros are not too bothered about gay rights and to get back on topic, RTE seem to be getting less and less interested in it. I recall a time when 30 queers at the Dail was a huge deal and 6 o clock news stuff. Now they cannot even fully report on pride marches.

You could argue that there are bigger and more generalistic issues out there to report on, but its not always the case. News reporting itself has become far more biased than it ever was and I suspect a protest or pride march is far less "interesting" than it might have been 15 years ago or even 10 years ago.

An ironic example of this is Iris Robinsons ignorant comments on Belfast pride last year. In an ironic sense she probably did more for gay rights in one weekend due to the level of publicity generated than 10 years of pride marches.

Boston

shoegirl wrote: »

Thats different. And there is huge concern in the community about it.

I don't really follow. Most long term heterosexual couples I know are either just using the pill or would be if it wasn't for medical concerns. Why would it be different for homosexual couples? That said I think open relationships are probably more common among gay males relationships.

A lot of heteros are not too bothered about gay rights and to get back on topic, RTE seem to be getting less and less interested in it. I recall a time when 30 queers at the Dail was a huge deal and 6 o clock news stuff. Now they cannot even fully report on pride marches.

Yes, but it was news for all the wrong reasons. It was a sceptical, a rare things to see 30 out and proud queer people. The fact that its gets less attention now is not a sign of failure, but rather of success. Homosexuality is part of everyday modern Irish life.

You could argue that there are bigger and more generalistic issues out there to report on, but its not always the case. News reporting itself has become far more biased than it ever was and I suspect a protest or pride march is far less "interesting" than it might have been 15 years ago or even 10 years ago.

An ironic example of this is Iris Robinsons ignorant comments on Belfast pride last year. In an ironic sense she probably did more for gay rights in one weekend due to the level of publicity generated than 10 years of pride marches.

In fairness 15 - 20 years ago you had judges in this country arguing that "gay panic" was an acceptable defence of murder.

Starfox

shoegirl wrote: »

You're right and sadly that is about 90% hetero and not hugely pushed about the issues of gay couples or families. Lets not forget that huge chunks of the hetero community are still so unfazed by risks of chlamydia, syphilis or HIV that lots of them still cannot be bothered using condoms or even any form of contraception. All age groups, not just young folks.

<snip>Dangerous "medical advice"</snip>
I think the only real disease on this planet is pure ignorance and people unwilling to ask the questions for themselves!

Have a nice day

Boston

Cure HIV via a good diet. 0_o abit of cop on please.

mobius42

Starfox, telling people that they can cure those diseases with vitamins is ignorant and downright irresponsible. I think you've been mislead by frauds like Matthias Rath.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_Rath

JBoyle4eva

Deflector wrote: »

And as for the Newsroom, playing Spot The Ghey isn't nearly as tricky as it used to be alas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJNvXUbKoBs&NR=1

I can remember when the first Civil Partnerships happened in NI, he was the newsreader that night and he had the biggest grin on his face reading the intro to the clip....I've always wondered ever since....You just hightened my gaydar once more:pac:

Goodshape

Didn't catch any news bulletins since the march yesterday.

Was there much mention of the ~5k people that took to the streets? Definitely spotted a few RTE camera about the place anyway.

//edit
RTE.ie cover the story here : http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0809/civilpartnership.html ...not much mention of the actual short-comings of the partnership bill, just a brief mention that it "stops short of allowing same sex couples to marry."

ateam

Ah RTE aren't that bad..I think Pat Kenny had several gay couples or gay related stories on the Late Late over the years (which Tubridy won't keep up with sadly) and it was always very pro-Gay.

ninety6days

abouttobebanned wrote: »

RTE have a gay newsreader though. Probably irelevant but i just thought I'd throw it out there.

some of my best friends are gay newsreaders. I don't want them to live next door though, so i'll probably end up emigrating with Joan Allen

aDeener

Aard wrote: »

Nothing out loud, but his eyes said it all when he looked at me in the Dragon.

:rolleyes:

L1011

And another RTE newsreader came out on the Late Late on Friday - Michael Murphy.

shoegirl

Whats it with gay newsreaders?

anotherlostie

shoegirl wrote: »

Whats it with gay newsreaders?

Yeah there are 2 of them in RTE. Sure the place is riddled with them!:rolleyes:

Mr12345

Brian Jennings (morning radio 1), Michael Murphy (weekends, radio 1) and Aengus Mac Grianna (TV/Radio weekends/extra) among others are all openly gay. What's the big deal?

MultiUmm

Mr12345 wrote: »

Brian Jennings (morning radio 1), Michael Murphy (weekends, radio 1) and Aengus Mac Grianna (TV/Radio weekends/extra) among others are all openly gay. What's the big deal?

Him? Really? Never would have thought that at all. lol :eek:

L1011

I wasn't aware that Aengus was out. The other two are.