Irish language comments on RTÉ cause a stir
February 25, 2014
Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh spoke on The Saturday Night Show last Saturday, and discussed language rights for Irish speakers, but it would seem that her invitation to appear on the show can be directly attributed to the number of complaints RTÉ received in relation to the previous week’s show.
It would appear that RTÉ received many complaints about a statement presenter Brendan O’Connor made at the beginning of his show, when he poked fun at the Lá Mór na Gaeilge demonstration which occurred earlier that day which saw thousands of people take to the streets of Dublin to defend their language rights. According to O’Connor it was unclear what the group were demanding as they were speaking in Irish.
It is of little wonder that RTÉ received many complaints about that particular comment, with members of the public outraged and claiming that O’Connor had violated the code in relation to fairness, objectivity and impartiality.
Among the complaints received by RTÉ regarding The Saturday Night Show was one from Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, who have submitted three complaints this month about three distinct programmes broadcast on RTÉ: The Late Late Show, The Saturday Night Show and European Parliament Report.
The Late Late Show
On The Late Late Show broadcast on Friday, 07 February 2014, towards the end of the programme, during an interview with Aled Jones, Ryan Tubridy displayed some road signs and asked his guest to read them aloud. One of the signs was of an English translation of the Gaeltacht placename Muiceanach Idir Dhá Sháile and the presenter began poking fun at the name, laughing that there was no way that he could say it himself as it was so complicated.
In their complaint An Chomhdháil reminded RTÉ that Gaeltacht placenames should be written in Irish as per the Placenames Order, and therefore the sign should have read ‘Muiceanach Idir Dhá Sháile’ rather than an unofficial translated version. An Chomhdháil claim this scene, and the presenter’s actions, were disrespectful to the Irish speaking community.
European Parliament Report
An Chomhdháil also submitted a complaint this month in relation to the European Parliament Report which was broadcast on Sunday, 09 February 2014. During this programme, Irish MEP Seán Kelly addressed the Parliament in Irish, yet rather than broadcast this piece, RTÉ chose to edit the piece to include the voice of an interpreter rather than the voice of our MEP. An Chomhdháil claimed there was no reason not to broadcast the original piece by Mr. Kelly and reminded RTÉ that the Irish language is the first official language of the State.
Under articles 47 and 48 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 each broadcaster is required have a clear process for dealing with complaints. RTÉ’s process is listed here and if you have any issue you would like to raise with them , you can send them an email at complaints@rte.ie.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
