Irish Examiner
November 23, 2011
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/rte-staff-step-aside-for-duration-of-reynolds-investigation-529501.html
 |
RTÉ's news and current affairs chief and a leading editor from the flagship investigative series 'Prime Time Investigates' have stepped down over the defamation of priest Kevin Reynolds.
Ed Mulhall, managing director of RTÉ news and current affairs, will move aside as an independent inquiry probes the damning errors.
Editor of current affairs Ken O'Shea will also step down temporarily.
The pair are the first two casualties after Fr Reynolds sued the broadcaster over the 'Mission To Prey' programme, which wrongly accused the missionary priest of raping a minor and fathering a child while working in Kenya 30 years ago.
RTÉ said the pair moved aside to protect integrity during investigations by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).
"These decisions have been agreed in order to remove any possible doubt about the objectivity and impartiality of RTÉ's news and current affairs services at this time and are taken without prejudice to any party," the broadcaster said.
Pat Rabbitte, Communications Minister, secured Cabinet approval for the inquiry yesterday amid deepening concerns over how the 'Prime Time' programme was compiled, who authorised it and the massive libel case.
Fr Reynolds accepted an out-of-court settlement last week. The terms remain confidential but reports on the payout range from €750,000 up to €5m.
Mr Mulhall and Mr O'Shea can expect to be away from the senior roles for at least two months.
RTÉ also said Prime Time executive producer Brian Pairceir and reporter Aoife Kavanagh have been taken off air while the inquiry continues.
"As with all other relevant members of staff, they will be engaged in assisting the RTÉ and BAI inquiries," RTÉ said.
The BAI, an independent regulator, has been asked to convene its Compliance Committee to examine the case and report back in two months.
The body monitors and enforces compliance by broadcasters relating to fairness, impartiality and enforcement of standards.
The inquiry team has also been asked to make any recommendations it feels are necessary on the back of the defamation.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.