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Broadcasting Authority rejects several complaints over same-sex marriage referendum

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has rejected 31 complaints in its latest round of dec...
Newstalk
Newstalk

17.12 28 Oct 2015


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Broadcasting Authority rejects...

Broadcasting Authority rejects several complaints over same-sex marriage referendum

Newstalk
Newstalk

17.12 28 Oct 2015


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The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has rejected 31 complaints in its latest round of decisions.

Six of these relate to Newstalk Breakfast and Newstalk Lunchtime broadcasts between February and May this year.

However the broadcasting body partially upheld a complaint made against 'The Opinion Line' on Cork's 96FM from February 3rd.

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At its meeting held in July 2015, the Compliance Committee of the BAI considered eight complaints.

In addition, 24 complaints were considered and rejected by the Executive Complaints Forum at meetings in June, July and August.

Some of these were surrounding coverage of the same-sex marriage referendum.

One complaint stated that Newstalk Breakfast presenter Chris Donoghue "over-stepped the mark several times" during an interview with David Quinn of the Iona Institute.

Another complaint for the same interview stated that "the programme presenter came across more as a campaigner than an impartial interviewer and he was rude and overly hostile to Mr Quinn and took an approach that entirely suited the 'Yes' side of the referendum debate".

A further complaint related to an interview with Labour Party TD Dominic Hannigan on the same-sex marriage referendum.

The complaint stated that a vox pop on the issue, preceding Mr Hannigan's interview, was of people who expressed a variety of views about the influence of the issue of children in the referendum.

It added that Deputy Hannigan had already represented the 'Yes' side of the referendum in several high profile national radio debates - and that that the wording for the referendum had been announced by the Government on the same week.

Newstalk's Chris Donoghue tweeted:

Another complaint related to an advert on TV3 and 3E for a Subway sandwich.

The complainant stated the ad featured a 6" sandwich stuffed with numerous large chicken breast slices.

But that, in actual fact, the serving was around two table spoonfuls of tiny chicken pieces - and was in no way as suggested by the adverts.

This too was rejected by the BAI.

All the decisions can be read in full here


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