news


Broadcasting watchdog declines to probe radio bans


THE NUJ is disappointed that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has decided not to investigate Communicorp’s interference in the editorial independence of its radio stations. The decision was confirmed to Séamus Dooley,


NUJ Irish secretary, by Michael O’Keeffe, the authority’s chief executive. The NUJ had pressed for an investigation after Communicorp banned Newstalk, Today FM, 98FM, Spin 1038 and Spin South West from featuring journalists from The Irish Times and digital outlet the Currency. The ban on Currency journalists was later rescinded.


Dooley said: “It beggars belief that the


Broadcasting Authority of Ireland would allow Communicorp off the hook after a clear admission the company banned certain journalists from being interviewed on stations owned by Communicorp. “The announcement by Communicorp that the ban had been lifted appears to have been accepted by the BAI as a welcome concession rather than what it was – an admission of interference by commercial management in who should appear on news programmes.”


Roy hangs up council hat


ROY JONES, a founding member of the NUJ’s 60+ council, has decided to stand down from the group after 10 years’ service. Roy, a union veteran who lives in North Wales and is chair of the


North Wales NUJ branch, said he now had to consider safety in travelling to meetings. Before retirement, when working for the Morning Star, he was part of the once-powerful industrial


correspondents’ group, touring seaside conference venues to cover unions and labour issues. He joined the NUJ in 1982 when


he started at the Star. Before becoming a journalist,


he worked in the oil industry and in construction.


RTÉ appeals over retirement ruling


IRISH BROADCASTER RTÉ is appealing against the Workplace Relations Commission’s determination in favour of an NUJ member who had challenged enforced retirement on the grounds of age. Anne Roper, a producer director, was


awarded €100,000 in compensation after RTÉ was found guilty of discrimination, contrary to section 79 of the Employment Equality Act. The NUJ had sought, through internal


procedures, to have her employment extended by 18 months but the broadcaster insisted that she should retire at 65, even though her contract was silent on the issue of a retirement date. She subsequently took a case to the commission. Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, said the


comprehensive determination identified the need for clear criteria in relation to longer working and transparency around retirement: “The appeal adds stress to the individual and will delay the implementation of a consistent, coherent and transparent retirement policy in RTÉ predicated on the fairness.”


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06 | theJournalist


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