Prime Time Report Tars All Ourcurrent Affairs: RTE Insiders

By Colm Kelpie
Irish Independent
April 11, 2012

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/prime-time-report-tars-all-ourcurrent-affairs-rte-insiders-3076746.html

RTE is likely to accept the findings of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's investigation into the libelling of Fr Kevin Reynolds by 'Prime Time Investigates'.

But the Irish Independent understands there are concerns within the state broadcaster that some of the BAI's conclusions appear to apply to its entire current affairs output, even though the probe focused only on allegations made against Fr Reynolds in one programme.

The unpublished report was sent to RTE last Thursday and the broadcaster has until April 20 to issue a reply, or request an oral hearing or go to the High Court.

Singling

It is understood at this stage that senior management are not expected to contest the findings.

The report is believed to run to between 20 and 30 pages, and blames the entire editorial team involved in the programme, rather than singling out any one person.

It is believed that those leading the probe were concerned by the lack of documentation collected by the editorial team during the programme's investigation process.

"The whole problem started with the 'groupthink', the lack of questioning of the allegations," a source close to the investigation said.

"The allegation was made by a source and it was presumed to be true."

The Irish Independent also understands that the BAI did not see the legal advice provided to the 'Prime Time Investigates' editorial team concerning the broadcast as the advice would have been privileged.

Three legal correspondences were sent to RTE prior to the broadcast in May 2011 on behalf of Fr Reynolds, including an email on the day the programme aired. The correspondence contained an offer of a paternity test.

Only the email on the day the programme was broadcast was not passed to lawyers acting for the broadcaster.

While it is believed that RTE will not contest the findings, the broadcaster has concerns about the impact of the conclusions on wider current affairs programming.

Training

"One of the features of this is that the only thing that has been investigated is that segment of that programme ('Prime Time Investigates') and yet conclusions may look as if they apply very baldly to the entirety of RTE current affairs output," one RTE insider said.

RTE, however, accepts that there were faults with the programme.

A source close to the investigation said the recommendations are nothing more than the standard expected for investigative journalism. It is understood that they centre around appropriate training, and that editorial staff are familiar with reporting guidelines.

The BAI expressed its "dismay" that information concerning the report had been leaked, stating it would be reviewing how the information ended up in the public domain.

Chairman Bob Collins was said to be "very unhappy" that the information had been leaked.

RTE said it was disappointed, but claimed it was entirely inappropriate to comment any further while the process was still ongoing.

"RTE wishes to express its disappointment that this report has leaked in circumstances where it prejudices RTE's response to the investigation, within an ongoing process, and prejudices the response of the programme-makers as named individuals," a statement said.

Fr Reynolds's solicitor Robert Dore hit out at the fact that the contents of the report had been made public before the process had been completed.

He claimed the findings highlighted the "shoddy journalism" inherent in the broadcast.