RTE defends broadcast allocation

RTE has rejected criticism of its allocation of party broadcasts on the bail referendum

RTE has rejected criticism of its allocation of party broadcasts on the bail referendum. An RTE spokesman said the station's "considered judgment" was that the allocation of special broadcasts was "fair and reasonable, having regard to RTE's statutory obligations".

Five parties met the criterion of having three or more members in the Dail Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, the Progressive Democrats and Democratic Left, all of whom support the amendment. The Right to Bail Campaign was allocated two broadcasts on radio and two on television while there was no allocation for any non parliamentary group supporting the amendment.

The spokesman added that "in dealing with the referendum in programmes we originate ourselves we have been absolutely evenhanded".