BAI rejects complaint on RTÉ same-sex marriage discussion

A complaint that a discussion on RTÉ Radio 1's Marian Finucane Show was biased in favour of same-sex marriage has been rejected by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).

In its decision, the BAI’s compliance committee said it was not always an “absolute requirement” that programme makers balance a show by including speakers representing each side of a debate.

Listener Ray McIntyre complained about a discussion during the newspaper review section of the June 29th show that expressed unreserved support for same-sex marriage.

Mr McIntyre said every panellist supported same-sex marriage, as did guest presenter Brendan O’Carroll, and that RTÉ should have provided a panellist with opposing views.

Mr McIntyre said same-sex marriage is the subject of current public debate and the presenter should have provided balance if there was no panellist with an opposing view of same-sex marriage.

In response, RTÉ said the discussion was largely factual with relatively little reference to same-sex marriage and that opposing arguments were mentioned.

The broadcaster said the discussion came about because of coverage of the Gay Pride parade in that morning's newspapers and that it was not structured, intended or presented as a discussion of the topic of same-sex marriage.

The compliance committee unanimously rejected the complaint, stating the item it concerned was one topic in the context of a wider discussion of stories in that Sunday’s newspapers.

The committee also found that the programme included a range of views on the topic of same-sex marriage, the likelihood of changes to Irish law being passed by Irish voters and the need to take account of differing opinions on related changes to Irish law, such as the meaning of marriage.

In addition, it said it is not an absolute requirement that programme makers balance a programme by including individuals representing each side of a debate. Fairness in the treatment of a topic can be achieved by the presenter or guests giving voice to the views of those who may oppose same-sex marriage, the BAI said.