Complaints / Gearáin


RTÉ Code of Practice for handling complaints

The Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 requires a broadcaster and/or an on-demand audio-visual service provider to provide a Code of Practice for handling complaints under relevant provisions of the Act.

The Act states that:

  • A broadcaster or provider of an audiovisual on-demand media service shall give due and adequate consideration to a complaint made in writing to it, that it has failed to comply with one or more of the provisions of the Act (outlined below) where in the opinion of the broadcaster or provider, the complaint has been made in good faith and is not of a frivolous or vexatious nature.
  • A complaint in respect of a television or radio broadcast shall be made to the broadcaster not more than 30 days after the date of the broadcast.
  • Where a complaint relates to 2 or more unrelated broadcasts, the date of the earlier broadcast shall apply.
  • Where a complaint relates to 2 or more related broadcasts, of which at least 2 are made on different dates, the later or latest date shall apply.
  • Where a complaint relates to programme material made available on an audiovisual on-demand media service, the date the programme material ceased to be available on that service, shall apply.

If a person does not wish to make a complaint, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and only wishes to outline their views or opinions, this may be done by way of email to feedback@rte.ie Please see “Feedback” at the end of this notice for further information.

Grounds for making a complaint.

The Act sets out several grounds under which a complaint may be made in respect of a television and/or radio broadcast and an audiovisual on-demand media service:

Harm, offence, incitement, and authority of the State

46J (1) A broadcaster shall not broadcast, and a provider of an audiovisual on-demand media service shall not make available in a catalogue of the service –

(a)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as causing harm or undue offence

(b)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as likely to promote, or incite crime,

(c)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as promoting or inciting terrorism online within the terms of the EU Directive on combatting terrorism. (* See Note 1)

(d)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as likely to incite to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons,

(e)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as tending to undermine the authority of the State.

Privacy

46K

(1) A broadcaster shall ensure that, in programmes broadcast by the broadcaster, and in the means employed to make such programmes, the privacy of any individual is not unreasonably encroached upon.

(2)  A provider of an audiovisual on-demand media service shall ensure that in programmes included in a catalogue of the service, and in the means employed to make such programmes, the privacy of any individual is not unreasonably encroached upon.

News and current affairs

46L (1) A broadcaster, in programmes which he or she broadcasts, and a relevant media service provider, in programmes which he or she makes available in a catalogue of the relevant service, shall ensure—

(a) that news is reported and presented in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcaster’s or provider’s own views, and

(b) that the treatment of current affairs, including matters which are either of public controversy or the subject of current public debate, is fair to all interests concerned, and that the matter broadcast or made available is presented in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcaster’s or provider’s own views.

(2) Should it prove impracticable to apply subsection (1)(b) in relation to a single programme, 2 or more related programmes may be considered as a whole, if—

 (a) where the programmes are broadcast, they are broadcast within a reasonable period of each other, or

(b) where the programmes are made available on a relevant service, they are made available in the same way on the relevant service within a reasonable period of each other.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) prevents a broadcaster from broadcasting, or a relevant media service provider from making available, party political programmes (*See Note 2), provided that an unfair preference is not given to any political party—

(a) by a broadcaster, in the allocation of time for such programmes, or

(b) by a relevant media service provider, in the positioning of such programmes in a catalogue of the relevant service.

(4) Subsection (1), in so far as it requires a broadcaster or a relevant media service provider not to express his or her own views, does not apply to news or current affairs relating to a proposal which— (a) concerns policy as regards broadcasting which is of public controversy or the subject of current public debate, and (b) is being considered by the Government or the Minister.

Advertising

46M. (1) A programme broadcast or made available in a catalogue of an audiovisual on-demand media service, may include advertisements inserted in it.

(2) A broadcaster shall not broadcast, and a relevant media service provider shall not make available in a catalogue of the relevant service, an advertisement which—

(a) is directed towards a political end or has any relation to an industrial dispute, or

(b) addresses the issue of the merits or otherwise of adhering to any religious faith or belief, or of becoming a member of any religion or religious organisation.

*** Members the public who wish to complain about advertisements broadcast on RTÉ may also complain to the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI).

*NOTE 1

This relates to conduct falling within Article 5 of Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 20179 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA.

*NOTE 2

Section 46 (N) 3 of the Act provides for Media service Codes to determine that “party political programmes” may be broadcast or made available only at specified times. The Codes relating to this provision have not yet been determined and when the Commissioners do so, RTÉ will provide further information on this matter.

Making a complaint and the response to a complaint

If members of the public are of the opinion that a programme or a segment of a programme or an advertisement broadcast on RTÉ has:

  • Breached a provision of Sections 46J (1) (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e); 46K (1), (2) and 46L (1) (a) and (b), 46 M (2) and (3) of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022

or

  • Failed to comply with a provision of the BAI Codes. (See Note on Codes below)

they are entitled to make a formal complaint to RTÉ. The complaint should be sent to the RTÉ Complaints office:

3rd Floor Admin Building
RTÉ
Donnybrook
Dublin 4

or by e-mail to complaints@rte.ie

For the purposes of the Act, a complaint may be made about –

  • A television broadcast(s)
  • A radio broadcast(s)
  • An audiovisual on demand service – in the case of RTÉ, the RTÉ Player.

A valid complaint about a broadcast or on-demand audiovisual service must contain specific information about the nature of the complaint:

  • Firstly, the complaint must specify the name of the programme broadcast and the time and date of the broadcast item that is the subject of the complaint; in the case of an on-demand audiovisual service (the RTÉ Player) it must specify the name of the programme, the date it was viewed.
  • Secondly, the complainant must state the grounds for complaint by reference to one or more of those listed above in ‘Grounds for making a Complaint’ and must indicate why they believe the programme or item was in breach of the Act and/or Code(s).

This information is required for the following reasons:

  1. It allows the broadcaster/provider to identify the programme that is the subject of the complaint and the nature of the complaint, and this facilitates a meaningful response being prepared on behalf of the relevant programme.
  2. If the complainant is not satisfied with the response, it can be referred to Coimisiún na Meán where the above information will be sought as part of the referral process. In this way, providing the information at the outset ensures the entire process can function as intended.

If RTÉ receives a complaint that does not contain the above information we will write back to the complainant requesting more precise information to allow us to process the complaint. If the information sought is not provided, the complaint will not proceed and will be deemed as Feedback. (See Feedback below).

RTÉ will respond to complaints within 20 working days from the date the complaint is entered into the RTÉ complaints system.

In accordance with the Act, complaints must be made in writing, by way of email or letter.

In responding to a complaint(s), where RTÉ does not accept there was a breach of any of the statutory or regulatory provisions, we will set out our reasons for dismissing the complaint which may include –

  • RTÉ’s view that the complaint failed to demonstrate a breach of the provision(s) complained of.
  • RTÉ’s view that the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or not made in good faith.

Where a complaint is dismissed, the complainant will also be informed of the right to refer the RTÉ decision to Coimisiún na Meánfor independent adjudication.

Regulatory Codes

Coimisiún na Meán is only newly established. The Act therefore allows that the existing regulatory broadcasting codes remain in place until they are revised and updated by the Commissioners.

These Codes are as follows:

  1. BAI Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs
  • BAI Code of Programme Standards
  • BAI General Commercial Communications Code (Advertising)
  • BAI Children’s Commercial Communications code (Children’s Advertising)

Complaints to Coimisiún na Meán

Members of the public may complain to Coimisiún na Meán if they are not satisfied with the response RTÉ has made to their complaint. The Commissioners will consider the complaint and the response the complainant has received.

A referral to Coimisiún na Meán can be made as follows –

Coimisiún na Meán 
1 Shelbourne Buildings

Shelbourne Road

Dublin 4

D04 NP20

Ireland

  • Further queries concerning complaint referrals may also be directed to the user support centre’s telephone contact: (01) 963 7755.

RTÉ Feedback

Any person who wishes to make a formal complaint about a programme is required to comply with certain conditions to facilitate the processing of the complaint.

There is a very clear distinction between embarking upon the formal statutory complaints process and having the opportunity to air your views to senior RTÉ management.

RTÉ has a facility to allow any person set out their views directly to senior management, if they do not wish to engage the statutory complaints process.

An audience member may wish to commend or criticise a programme or content or suggest ideas or changes.

RTÉ welcomes this feedback.

A weekly log of audience feedback is prepared and circulated to senior management as it provides a direct and valuable insight into the views of our audience. While RTÉ cannot guarantee that every viewpoint sent is included in this log, it strives to provide management with a wide cross-section of feedback, both negative and positive.

If you wish to avail of this process to set out your views to senior management please use the following email address, feedback@rte.ie

Próiseas Gearáin RTÉ

Ó tharla nach bhfuil aistriúchán oifigiúil Gaeilge déanta ar an Acht go fóill, tá na hailt ábhartha luaite i mBéarla. Nuair a chuirfear aistriúchán oifigiúil ar fáil, déanfaidh RTÉ na hailt sin a uasdátú.

Cód Cleachtais RTÉ maidir le gearáin a láimhseáil

San Acht um Rialáil Sábháilteachta ar Líne agus na Meán, 2022, éilítear ar chraoltóir agus/nó soláthróir seirbhíse closamhairc ar éileamh Cód Cleachtais maidir le gearáin a láimhseáil a chur ar fáil faoi fhorálacha ábhartha an Achta.

Is é a luaitear san Acht:

  • A broadcaster or provider of an audiovisual on-demand media service shall give due and adequate consideration to a complaint made in writing to it, that it has failed to comply with one or more of the provisions of the Act (outlined below) where in the opinion of the broadcaster or provider, the complaint has been made in good faith and is not of a frivolous or vexatious nature.
  • Déanfar gearán i ndáil le craoladh teilifíse nó raidió leis an gcraoltóir tráth nach déanaí ná 30 lá tar éis dháta an chraolta.
  • Sa chás go mbaineann gearán le 2 chraoladh neamhghaolmhara nó níos mó, beidh feidhm ag dáta an chraolta níos luaithe.
  • Sa chás go mbaineann gearán le 2 chraoladh ghaolmhara nó níos mó, ar a ndéantar 2 cheann acu sin ar a laghad ar dhátaí difriúla, beidh feidhm ag an gcraoladh níos déanaí nó is déanaí.
  • Sa chás go mbaineann gearán le hábhar cláir a cuireadh ar fáil ar sheirbhís meán closamhairc ar éileamh, beidh feidhm ag an dáta ar stopadh ag cur an ábhair cláir ar fáil ar an tseirbhís sin.

Sa chás nach mian le duine gearán a dhéanamh, i gcomhréir le forálacha an Achta, agus nach bhfuil uathu ach a ndearcthaí agus a dtuairimí a chur in iúl, is féidir sin a dhéanamh trí ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig feedback@rte.ie Féach ar “Aiseolas” ag deireadh an fhógra seo le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais.

Forais maidir le gearán a dhéanamh.

Leagtar amach roinnt foras san Acht faoinar féidir gearán a dhéanamh i ndáil le craoladh teilifíse agus/nó craoladh raidió agus seirbhís meán closamhairc ar éileamh:

Harm, offence, incitement, and authority of the State

46J (1) A broadcaster shall not broadcast, and a provider of an audiovisual on-demand media service shall not make available in a catalogue of the service –

(a)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as causing harm or undue offence

(b)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as likely to promote, or incite crime,

(c)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as promoting or inciting terrorism online within the terms of the EU Directive on combatting terrorism. (* Féach Nóta 1)

(d)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as likely to incite to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons,

(e)  anything which may reasonably be regarded as tending to undermine the authority of the State.

Privacy

46K

(1) A broadcaster shall ensure that, in programmes broadcast by the broadcaster, and in the means employed to make such programmes, the privacy of any individual is not unreasonably encroached upon.

(2)  A provider of an audiovisual on-demand media service shall ensure that in programmes included in a catalogue of the service, and in the means employed to make such programmes, the privacy of any individual is not unreasonably encroached upon.

News and current affairs

46L (1) A broadcaster, in programmes which he or she broadcasts, and a relevant media service provider, in programmes which he or she makes available in a catalogue of the relevant service, shall ensure—

(a) that news is reported and presented in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcaster’s or provider’s own views, and

(b) that the treatment of current affairs, including matters which are either of public controversy or the subject of current public debate, is fair to all interests concerned, and that the matter broadcast or made available is presented in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcaster’s or provider’s own views.

(2) Should it prove impracticable to apply subsection (1)(b) in relation to a single programme, 2 or more related programmes may be considered as a whole, if—

 (a) where the programmes are broadcast, they are broadcast within a reasonable period of each other, or

(b) where the programmes are made available on a relevant service, they are made available in the same way on the relevant service within a reasonable period of each other.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) prevents a broadcaster from broadcasting, or a relevant media service provider from making available, party political programmes (*See Note 2), provided that an unfair preference is not given to any political party—

(a) by a broadcaster, in the allocation of time for such programmes, or

(b) by a relevant media service provider, in the positioning of such programmes in a catalogue of the relevant service.

(4) Subsection (1), in so far as it requires a broadcaster or a relevant media service provider not to express his or her own views, does not apply to news or current affairs relating to a proposal which— (a) concerns policy as regards broadcasting which is of public controversy or the subject of current public debate, and (b) is being considered by the Government or the Minister.

Advertising

46M (1) A programme broadcast or made available in a catalogue of an audiovisual on-demand media service, may include advertisements inserted in it.

(2) A broadcaster shall not broadcast, and a relevant media service provider shall not make available in a catalogue of the relevant service, an advertisement which—

(a) is directed towards a political end or has any relation to an industrial dispute, or

(b) addresses the issue of the merits or otherwise of adhering to any religious faith or belief, or of becoming a member of any religion or religious organisation.

***Is féidir le daoine den phobal ar mian leo gearán a dhéanamh faoi fhógraí a craoladh ar RTÉ gearán a dhéanamh freisin leis an Údarás Caighdeán Fógraíochta d’Éirinn (ASAI).

*NÓTA 1

Baineann sé seo le hiompar ar siúl laistigh d’Airteagal 5 de Threoir (AE) 2017/541 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle amhail an 15 Márta 2017 maidir leis an sceimhlitheoireacht a chomhrac, agus lena n-ionadaítear Cinneadh Réime 2002/475/CGB ón gComhairle agus lena leasaítear Cinneadh 2005/671/CGB ón gComhairle.

*NÓTA 2

Déantar foráil in Alt 46 (N) 3 den Acht do Chóid seirbhíse Meán le fáil amach an bhféadfaí “party political programmes” a chraoladh nó a chur ar fáil ag amanna sonraithe amháin. Níl cinneadh déanta go fóill ar na Cóid maidir leis an bhforáil sin agus nuair a chinnfidh na Coimisinéirí sin, cuirfidh RTÉ tuilleadh eolais ar fáil maidir leis an gceist sin.

Gearán a dhéanamh agus an freagra ar ghearán

Sa chás go bhfuil duine den phobal den tuairim gur tharla, le clár nó le mír ar chlár nó le fógra a craoladh ar RTÉ:

  • Go bhfuil foráil d’Ailt 46J (1) (a), (b), (c), (d) nó (e); 46K (1), (2) agus 46L (1) (a) agus (b), 46 M (2) agus (3) den Acht um Rialáil Sábháilteachta ar Líne agus na Meán, 2022, sáraithe

  • Gur teipeadh cloí le foráil de chuid Chóid Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann. (Féach Nóta maidir leis na Cóid thíos)

tá siad i dteideal gearán foirmiúil a dhéanamh le RTÉ. Ba chóir an gearán a sheoladh chuig Oifig Gearán RTÉ:

An 3ú hUrlár den Fhoirgneamh Riaracháin
RTÉ
Domhnach Broc
Baile Átha Cliath 4

nó ar ríomhphost chuig complaints@rte.ie

Chun críocha an Achta, is féidir gearán a dhéanamh faoi –

  • Craoladh (craoltaí) teilifíse
  • Craoladh (craoltaí) raidió
  • Seirbhís closamhairc ar éileamh – i gcás RTÉ, an RTÉ Player.

Ní mór eolas ar leith faoi nádúr an ghearáin a bheith mar chuid de ghearán bailí faoi chraoladh nó faoi sheirbhís closamhairc ar éileamh:

  • I dtosach báire, ní mór ainm an chláir agus an t-am agus an dáta ar craoladh an clár a bhaineann leis an ngearán a shonrú sa ghearán; i gcás seirbhís closamhairc ar éileamh (an RTÉ Player), ní mór ainm an cláir agus an dáta a chonacthas an clár a lua.
  • Ar an dara dul síos, ní mór don ghearánach forais an ghearáin a lua trí thagairt a dhéanamh do cheann amháin nó níos mó acu sin atá liostaithe thuas in ‘Forais maidir le Gearán a dhéanamh’ agus ní mór a chur in iúl an fáth a gcreideann siad gur sáraíodh an tAcht agus/nó an Cód(Cóid) leis an gclár nó mír.

Tá an t-eolas seo de dhíth do na cúiseanna seo a leanas:

  1. Cuireann sé ar chumas an chraoltóra/an tsoláthróra an clár a bhaineann leis an ngearán, nádúr an ghearáin a aithint agus beifear ábalta freagra ciallmhar a réiteach don chlár cuí.
  2. Mura bhfuil an gearánach sásta leis an bhfreagra, is féidir é a chur ar aghaidh chuig Coimisiún na Meán áit a ndéanfar an t-eolas thuas a lorg mar chuid den phróiseas atreoraithe sin. Ar an mbealach seo, cinnteofar go bhfeidhmeoidh an próiseas ar fad mar is cóir agus an t-eolas á thabhairt ón tús.

Má fhaigheann RTÉ gearán nach bhfuil an t-eolas thuas mar chuid de scríobhfaidh muid ar ais chuig an ngearánach ag iarraidh go gcuirfeadh siad eolas níos cruinne ar fáil chun go mbeidh muid ábalta an gearán a phróiseáil. Mura gcuirtear an t-eolas a iarraidh ar fáil, ní rachfar chun cinn leis an ngearán agus measfar gur aiseolas atá ann. (Féach aiseolas thíos).

Tabharfaidh RTÉ freagra ar ghearáin laistigh de 20 lá oibre ón dáta ar cuireadh an gearán i gcóras gearán RTÉ.

Dé réir an Achta, ní mór gearáin a dhéanamh i scríbhinn, trí ríomhphost nó litir.

Nuair a bheifear ag freagairt gearáin (gearán), sa chás nach nglacann RTÉ leis gur sáraíodh aon fhorálacha reachtúla nó rialála, leagfaimid amach na cúiseanna atá againn diúltú don ghearán a bhféadfadh iad seo a leanas a bheith ar chuid de na cúiseanna –

  • Gurb é tuairim RTÉ gur theip ar an ngearán sárú na forála (na bhforálacha) a ndearnadh gearán fúithi (fúthu) a léiriú.
  • Gurb é tuairim RTÉ go bhfuil an gearán fánach nó cráiteach agus nach ndearnadh é de mheon macánta.

Sa chás gur diúltaíodh do ghearán, cuirfear in iúl don ghearánach chomh maith go bhfuil de cheart aige cinneadh RTÉ a chur faoi bhráid Choimisiún na Meán lena bhreithniú go neamhspleách.

Cóid Rialála

Is coimisiún nua-bhunaithe é Coimisiún na Meán. Ceadaítear leis an Acht mar sin go bhfanfaidh na cóid chraolacháin rialála atá ann cheana i bhfeidhm go dtí go mbeidh siad athbhreithnithe agus tugtha cothrom le dáta ag na Coimisinéirí.

Is iad seo a leanas na Cóid:

  1. Cód Cothromaíochta, Neamhchlaontachta agus Oibiachtúlachta maidir le Nuacht & Cúrsaí Reatha Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann
  • Cód um Chaighdeáin Chláir Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann
  • Cód Ginearálta maidir le Cumarsáid Tráchtála (Fógraíocht) Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann
  • Cód na bPáistí maidir le Cumarsáid Tráchtála (Fógraíocht le Leanaí) Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann

Gearáin le Coimisiún na Meán

Is féidir le duine den phobal gearán a dhéanamh le Coimisiún na Meán mura bhfuil siad sásta leis an bhfreagra a thug RTÉ ar a ngearán. Déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí an gearán agus an freagra a fuair an gearánach a bhreithniú.

Is féidir cur ar aghaidh chuig Coimisiún na Meán a dhéanamh mar seo a leanas –

Ar an láithreán gréasáin: www.cnam.ie

Nó ar ríomhphost: complaints@cnam.ie

Nó chuig:

Coimisiún na Meán 
2-5 Plás Warrington

Baile Átha Cliath D02 XP29

*** Tá sé tábhachtach a thabhairt ar aird cé go bhfuil tosach feidhme leis an Acht ar an 15 Márta, go mbeidh céim aistrithe i gceist agus go bhfanfaidh láithreán gréasáin Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann ‘beo’ le linn na tréimhse sin mar phointe teagmhála, de réir www.bai.ie

Ina theannta sin, de bharr nach bhfuil athbhreithniú/uasdátú déanta fós ag na Coimisinéirí ar na Cóid atá ann cheana agus de bharr go bhfuil ábhair eile faoin Acht fós le cinneadh acu, d’fhéadfadh an Cód Cleachtais seo a bheith faoi réir tuilleadh athruithe chun aon chinntí nó treoracha atá déanta ag Coimisiún na Meán a léiriú.

Aiseolas do RTÉ

Ceanglaítear ar dhuine ar bith atá ag iarraidh gearán foirmiúil a dhéanamh faoi chlár cloí le coinníollacha ar leith chun próiseáil an ghearáin a éascú.

Tá difear thar a bheith soiléir idir tús a chur leis an bpróiseas gearán reachtúil foirmiúil agus deis a bheith agat do chuid tuairimí a chur in iúl d’ardbhainistíocht RTÉ.

Tá saoráid ag RTÉ a chuireann ar chumas duine a gcuid tuairimí a chur faoi bhráid dhíreach na hardbhainistíochta, sa chás nach mian leo a bheith páirteach sa phróiseas reachtúil gearán.

D’fhéadfadh ball de lucht féachana a bheith ag iarraidh clár nó ábhar a mholadh nó a cháineadh nó smaointe nó athruithe a mholadh.

Cuireann RTÉ fáilte roimh an aiseolas seo.

Ullmhaítear cuntas seachtainiúil d’aiseolas ón lucht féachana agus roinntear é leis an ardbhainistíocht mar go dtugann sé léargas díreach agus luachmhar dúinn ar thuairimí ár lucht féachana. Cé nach féidir le RTÉ a ghealladh go ndéantar gach tuairim a sheoltar chugainn a áireamh sa chuntas sin, féachtar leis sampla ionadaíoch leathan aiseolais, idir dhiúltach agus dearfach, a chur ar fáil don bhainistíocht.

Dá mba mhaith leat úsáid a bhaint as an bpróiseas sin chun do chuid tuairimí a chur faoi bhráid na hardbhainistíochta, bain úsáid as an seoladh ríomhphoist seo a leanas, feedback@rte.ie

Gearán a dhéanamh maidir le Fógraíocht ar RTÉ

Is féidir le duine den phobal atá i mbun gearán a dhéanamh faoi fhógraí a craoladh ar RTÉ gearán a dhéanamh freisin leis an Údarás Caighdeán Fógraíochta d’Éirinn (ASAI)

Outline of Complaints 2021

In 2021, 74 complaints were made to the BAI regarding RTÉ programmes. 63 complaints against RTÉ programmes were not upheld. 10 were upheld (in respect of NYE Programme). One was partially upheld (in respect of Drivetime)

The 74 complaints to the BAI are broken down as follows:

Output Area (No. of Complaint Referrals)

Radio Programmes: 6

TV Programmes: 17

Radio News and Current Affairs: 24

TV News and Current Affairs: 27

Advertising: 0

Sport: 0

Sponsorship: 0

The most complained about programmes were NYE Programme (‘God sketch’) and Claire Byrne Live of 18.10.21.

The BAI Compliance Committee formed the opinion that in 2021, 6 complaints came within the provisions of Section 48(13) of the Act and were, therefore, deemed to be not made in good faith, and were of a frivolous and vexatious nature. 

Outline of Complaints 2020

In 2020, 46 complaints were made to the BAI regarding RTÉ programmes. 45 complaints against RTÉ programmes were not upheld. One was partially upheld (in respect of the Brendan O’Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1).

The 46 complaints to the BAI are broken down as follows:

Output Area (No. of Complaint Referrals)

Radio Programmes: 6

TV Programmes: 8

Radio News and Current Affairs: 12

TV News and Current Affairs: 15

Advertising: 3

Sport: 2

Sponsorship: 0

The complaints were spread out fairly evenly among a number of programmes so there are none standing out for having the most complaints.

The BAI Compliance Committee formed the opinion that in 2020, 4 complaints came within the provisions of Section 48(13) of the Act and were, therefore, deemed to be not made in good faith, and were of a frivolous and vexatious nature. 

Outline of Complaints 2019

In 2019, 55 complaints were made to the BAI regarding RTÉ programmes. None were upheld. 51 RTÉ programmes were not upheld, while 4 Complaints were closed (not pursued) by the complainant.

The 55 complaints to the BAI are broken down as follows:

Output Area (No. of Complaint Referrals)

Radio Programmes: 6

Radio News and Current Affairs: 11

TV Programmes: 7

TV News and Current Affairs: 23

Advertising: 7

Sponsorship: 1

Most complained about programme: RTÉ Investigates: Greyhounds, Running for their Lives. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland rejected all the complaints brought against this programme.

Outline of Complaints 2018

In 2018, 52 complaints were made to the BAI regarding RTÉ programmes, 2 of which were partly upheld.

The 52 complaints to the BAI are broken down as follows:

Output Area (No. of Complaint Referrals)

Advertising (4)

Radio programmes (4)

Television programmes (16)

News & Current Affairs (Television) (14)

News & Current Affairs (Radio) (9)

Sponsorship (5)

The programmes with the most complaints were:

The Late Late Show (11)

Claire Byrne Live (8)

The complaints which were party upheld by the BAI were:

  • Six One News, RTÉ One (BAI Ref 19/18); Decision 23rd January, 2018
  • Eoghan McDermott Show, RTÉ 2FM (BAI Ref 31/18); Decision 8th March 2018