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RTE Apologise to Brian Cowen for Nudie Pics Report
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Since they cannot get a hold of the artist – and the relevant authorities are trying – the government returned to the scene of the crime to get an apology for Brian Cowen and the office of the Taoiseach. RTE took down their report from last night’s Nine O Clock news of Cowen’s nude art this morning see here and here. No one to hang for the crime of comission so the crime of reportage gets punished instead.
RTE cave to what must have been monumental pressure since nine o’clock last night – and arguably pressure from much earlier regarding all of their shows that are dissenting from preferred government lines, they are after all the National Broadcaster. Serial assaults by backbench TDs on highly paid broadcasters, ministers impugning panel questions and no doubt plenty of press officers behind the scenes who are trying to keep a lid on questions and co-guests.
The climbdown is painful. An embarassment that dents RTE’s reputation and raises questions of independence. Yes, they get our money as taxes to fund them but like the BBC the distance and ability to deflect government from the editorial process is central to the integrity of the product. As Fergal’s excellent letter outlines.
Sir or Madam,
I wish to complain in the strongest possible terms about your craven apology to the Taoiseach for a report which was entirely accurate and newsworthy. While there are countries that have laws governing disrespect to the state and its offices, these are not countries in which any Irish person would like to live, and their laws are not mirrored here. Our constitution guarantees freedom of speech and includes in this freedom the right to criticise the government, a crtisism which was the aim of the satirical paintings. That this apology came in response to political pressure is all the more shameful.
Sincerely,
Fergal Crehan
The event happened previous to the Tribune getting the pictures but getting pictures gave a story legs and as stories go, this one is nothing without pictures. So RTE made an editorial decision to put an item together on it. I dont think it merits an apology for besmirching the office of Taoiseach, I don’t see previous Taoisigh who did a far better job at doing that being strong armed into a national televised apology (which would have done no harm).
One other thing occurs to me, why would they bother? How big is the siege mentality in government that tackling RTE for covering it in a three minute item to get a titter becomes a solid media plan? Soft score against RTE? More like piss them off.
Respect the office? More like give the story more legs than it otherwise would have gotten.
Move on to bigger issues? Hah, a government more interested in covering Cowen’s modesty.
This is the lowest point in RTE News’ history.
We’ve lost it as a reliable source of information.
A bleak moment.
Really, I’m not making that up.
So have the government press office announced what can be said about our Dear Leader. Should journalists simply read out government press releases or will they be expected to edit their reports to insert expressions of loyalty and joy at the intense joy that comes from being born in a country lead by such a physically magnificent genius. I’m sure some consultants from North Korean TV could advise RTE newsreaders on the correct way to cry convincingly.
Also does this apply to past Taoiseagh? Will the Mahon Tribunal Report be mentioned on RTE (if it ever gets published)? Or will Cowen do a Khrushchev and hang all the failings of fiannafailism on the pervious leader.
Will the heinous crime of referring to our illustrious leader in less than flattering tones carry a prison sentence (as with referring to the King of Thailand in an insulting fashion) or will the local members of FF just call to the door and take the criminal reporter away never to be seen again (as in Zimbabwe).
This is bad. When the government puts pressure on the national broadcaster and the national broadcaster caves in to that pressure, it’s a bad day for the public. That said, even before FF started their most recent bout of bullying, the national broadcaster was giving the government soft interviews where ministers were given the opportunity to ‘get it right’.
This just takes the biscuit really. I can understand Cowens reaction it was told in a way to mock him. But really there is a line you don’t cross.
Dear God what an embarrassment for RTe this is. What’s the betting that the next protest march against government policy X will be reported as “joyous citizens in their thousands celebrate most excellent government initiative”. Where’s The Panel when you need it.
Don’t forget this is the second time in a few weeks that RTE have had to apologise and censor their archive. The last time was the nobnation sketch with Mary Harney.
The whole thing is just incredible. The fuss created is going to ensure that plenty more of these types of pictures appear.
Astounding shortsightedness by Mr. Cowen and the Government.
did brian cowen actually say anything about these pictures himself? i dont think he did….am i wrong?