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Watchdog defends RTÉ over drug row BROADCASTING watchdogs
have reignited the debate over RTÉ Television’s High Society
programme which alleged a Government Minister had taken cocaine.
Writer Justine Delaney-Wilson, whose book was the basis for the RTÉ
show, had complained that her reputation, dignity and honour was unfairly
attacked by journalists who questioned the truth of her claims.
She complained about an interview in which Radio One News at One anchor
Seán O’Rourke grilled RTÉ editor Kevin Dawson about
the programme.
Ms Delaney-Wilson also said Radio One Drivetime host Mary Wilson was unusually
aggressive when quizzing the writer’s solicitor on air.
Both radio programmes sought to establish whether the documentary was
true and also looked at the unclear issue of whether an audio recording
ever existed of the Minister’s admissions.
But the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) threw out both grievances
— saying the broadcasts were fair.
RTÉ said the rulings were a vindication of the way its own news
journalists had sought to assess the claims made in one of its own shows.
In a separate ruling the BCC upheld a complaint against RTÉ Television
after the comedy show I Dare Ya filmed a comedian in a straightjacket
waiting for a taxi outside Dublin’s Central Mental Hospital. |
