The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (26th May) published the most recent broadcasting complaints decisions.
At meetings held in February, March and April 2016, the Compliance Committee of the BAI considered nine complaints. Of these, three complaints were upheld/upheld in part, two complaints were resolved and four complaints were rejected.
The complaints considered by the Compliance Committee concerned programmes aired on FM 104, Red FM, RTÉ Radio 1, Newstalk 106-108 FM and Irish TV.
The complaints related to the following broadcasts:-
Upheld/Upheld in Part
- FM 104: FM 104 Phone-in Show: 12th November 2015
- RTÉ Radio 1: The Ray D’Arcy Show: 19th October 2015 (Two complaints)
Resolved
- Irish TV: Irish Music Lounge: 16th November 2015
- Irish TV: The Phil Mack Country Show: 11th November 2015
Rejected
- RTÉ Radio 1: The Ray D’Arcy Show: 29th September 2015
- Irish TV: The Phil Mack Country Show: 16th November 2015
- Red FM: The Neil Prendeville Show: 12th January 2016
- Newstalk 106 – 108 FM: The Right Hook: 7th January 2016
Details of all these decisions are available to download here.
The Executive Complaints Forum considered and rejected 23 complaints.
ENDS
Media Queries to: Tony Heffernan / Catherine Heaney
DHR Communications
01 4200580/ 087 2399508/ 087 2309835
Note to Editors
Under the Broadcasting Act 2009, viewers and listeners can complain about broadcasting content, which they believe is not in keeping with the BAI’s broadcasting codes and rules. In line with the BAI’s complaints handling process, the viewer or listener should direct their complaint to the broadcaster in the first instance. This must be done within 30 days of the date of the broadcast.
If a viewer or listener is not satisfied with the response from the broadcaster, or if the broadcaster does not respond within the timeframe specified in their Code of Practice for Complaints Handling (usually 21 days after receipt of complaint), the viewer or listener can refer the complaint to the BAI for consideration.
In assessing complaints, and having regard to its codes and rules, the BAI considers the material submitted by the relevant parties together with the broadcast material. Complaints are assessed at Executive level and/or by the Compliance Committee of the Authority.
When a complaint has been adjudicated upon:
- A copy of the decision is sent to the complainant and the broadcaster before its publication.
- Where a complaint is upheld in whole or in part, the broadcaster concerned will broadcast the Compliance Committee’s decision, if the Compliance Committee believes it appropriate to do so. This could include the name of the person who made the complaint. This will be done at a time and manner suitably similar or close to the timing of the original broadcast which prompted the complaint. The only exception to this will be a situation where the Compliance Committee considers it inappropriate to broadcast the decision.
- Where a complaint is deemed resolved, the Compliance Committee is satisfied that the matter has been dealt with and that no further action is required.
- The decisions of the BAI are distributed to the media and posted to the BAI’s website, unless it considers it inappropriate to do so.
- When the BAI has considered the matter and issued its determination, that is the end of the process.