It is natural for questions to arise regarding pay agreements and benefits for high-profile presenters compared to others. The answers to these questions may expose additional issues, which is concerning and distressing.
However, if that is the case, it is crucial that these revelations are fully disclosed as quickly as possible. We must prevent attempts to sweep this controversy under the rug through prolonged inquiries. The impact of recent events should not be underestimated. The speed and quality of action are equally important.
The Irish public’s trust in the public service broadcaster has been severely damaged. The developments since last Thursday reveal a significant breach of public trust and alarming gaps in RTÉ’s corporate governance. The morale of the staff at the organization has been deeply affected.
For RTÉ to regain its respect and flourish once again, swift and radical action is necessary on four fronts.
1. Total disclosure: A complete and honest revelation of all details concerning Tubridy’s and other presenters’ pay is imperative. Nothing can progress without this information. Attempting to disclose only a portion of the details will only worsen this unfortunate situation.
RTÉ’s senior managers must live up to the principles outlined in the organization’s stated aims and guiding tenets. They should apply the same standards of transparency that their journalists rightly demand from others in the public and private sectors.
2. Who, how and why?: Since the story broke four days ago, crucial information has been withheld. Let’s be clear: the revealed practices deviate greatly from what is expected.
We need to know who authorized these practices, how they were authorized, and why. We must focus on the executive board, which holds significant power.
3. Role of director-general and board: Attention should be given to the director general’s role, as they sit on both the executive board and the overall RTÉ board. The role of the RTÉ board, which seems to have been completely sidelined in these events dating back to at least 2017, must also be revisited.
4. Change of culture: We need to see the beginning of a roadmap for change that prioritizes transparency and clarity. This will involve rethinking how the pay and benefits of high-profile presenters are negotiated and allocated, as well as addressing the role of intermediaries.
Open discussions should take place regarding why some presenters are paid significantly more than other highly skilled professionals at RTÉ. This is often justified by the advertising revenues generated by these presenters’ programs.
It is claimed that this justifies a “market rate,” but critics point out that other Irish broadcast organizations are unable to offer comparable compensation.
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