BAI 'broadly satisfied' with RTE's assessment of Frontline Presidential debate
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has said it was broadly satisfied with RTÉ's assessment of the Frontline Presidential debate, which they last week admitted was responsible for changing the course of the election.
During the programme, an anonymous text wrongly attributed to the Martin McGuinness campaign, was put to candidate Seán Gallagher.
Earlier in the debate, Mr McGuinness said that Mr Gallagher had called to the home of a businessman to collect a cheque for €5,000 for Fianna Fáil – a claim denied by Mr Gallagher.
The tweet which was subsequently read out during the programme last October claimed the man who allegedly gave Mr Gallagher the €5,000 cheque would be presented at a Sinn Fein press conference the following day.
Presenter Pat Kenny incorrectly referenced the tweet as being from the official account of Martin McGuinness.
Last week, David Nally, RTÉ’s news and current affairs editor, said that - after watching the debate - people decided not to vote for Mr Gallagher, as "it was too big a leap".
The BAI's Compliance Committee has decided a statutory investigation of the programme under Section 53 of the Broadcasting Act would not add to what has already been learned.
The BAI report is critical of the programme, saying "serious failings related to the fundamentals of journalistic practice" took place.
