RTÉ is Ireland’s National Broadcaster, funded by the Public and bound to impartiality. It is not the role of a public service broadcaster to take International political positions by boycotting events like the Eurovision Song Contest because they are picking a side in any conflict, war or Political policy of a country. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Israel’s participation, RTÉ’s duty is to provide coverage for all viewers, not to impose editorial judgments on international politics. A boycott would undermine its credibility as an impartial broadcaster and risk alienating sections of the audience it is supposed to serve equally. The government needs to intervene and overturn this decision. What next? They avoid covering certain candidates in an election because they don’t like their policies? The staff or DG in RTE are civil servants and should not be embroiled in any side of a political or international debate. How can we trust news surrounding such international stories when it’s clear they have already nailed their colours to the mast.

Posted by Fred Bassett