The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (28th February 2014) published the most recent broadcasting complaints decisions.
At its meeting in January, the Compliance Committee of the BAI considered and upheld one complaint. Three complaints were resolved by the Executive Complaints Forum. The complaints related to the following broadcasts:
Upheld by BAI Compliance Committee
• RTÉ Radio 1: Liveline: 14th August 2013
Resolved by the Executive Complaints Forum
• RTÉ Radio 1: Today with Pat Kenny: 26th March 2013
• RTÉ 2FM: Arthur’s Day Competition: 22nd September 2013
• RTÉ Radio 1: Risin’ Time: 16th September 2013
Media Queries to
Catherine Heaney /Tony Heffernan
DHR Communications
087 2309835 /087 2399508
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.
• 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.
• Where a programming 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.
When the Compliance Committee has considered the matter and issued its determination, that is the end of the process.