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BAI rejects all 16 complaints made to it

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has rejected all recent complaints made to it. At a m...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

12.38 3 Jul 2019


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BAI rejects all 16 complaints...

BAI rejects all 16 complaints made to it

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

12.38 3 Jul 2019


Share this article


The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has rejected all recent complaints made to it.

At a meeting in February, the Compliance Committee rejected four complaints.

While its Complaints Forum considered - and rejected - 12 complaints in January, February and March.

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One of those unanimously rejected was a complaint made against Lunchtime Live.

The complaint claimed an interview with a representative of Doctors for Freedom of Conscience, in relation to GP-led abortions, was "unfair and showed a lack of respect for the interviewee".

The BAI found that "rigorous questioning in the context of an interview does not necessarily constitute unfairness."

"In view of the above, the Forum did not agree that the programme infringed the requirements of the legislation and the Code in manner specified by the complainant."

A separate complaint was made in relation to an interview with a Senator about the decision by the UK Supreme Court which ruled that the owners of a Belfast bakery did not discriminate against a gay man when they refused to bake a cake which featured a message in support of same-sex marriage.

The complainant claimed the presenter, in suggesting that the decision was wrong, gave her own view.

The BAI again rejected this complaint unanimously.

It said: "The complainant takes issue with the presenter offering her own view criticising the decision of the Supreme Court.

"The Forum was of the view that the comments did not render the piece partial or unfair.

"Further, the Forum noted that the requirement for news and current affairs to be broadcast without any expression of the broadcaster's own views does not refer to individual presenters, rather to the entity which owns or operates the broadcast service."

Complaints were also rejected against RTÉ, Cork's RedFM, Sunshine 106.8 and Virgin Media.

Full details of the complaints can be found here


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BAI Complaints Bai Broadcasting Authority Of Ireland Complaints Cork's RedFM Lunchtime Live Newstalk RTE Rejected Sunshine 106.8 Virgin Media

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