Tom Savage to head interim RTÉ authority
Tom Savage has been appointed to lead an interim RTÉ Authority for the next six months, it emerged today.
Tom Savage, who is chairman of the Communications Clinic agency, has been a media advisor to senior politicians, including former taoisigh, since the mid-1970s.
Other board members appointed by Communications Minister Eamon Ryan include former Arts Council chief Patricia Quinn and documentary maker Alan Gilsenan.
Mr Ryan said RTÉ must continue to be a trusted source of information for the public and to act in a balanced, fair and responsible manner.
The other appointees include: Karlin Lillington, technology correspondent of the Irish Times; Fergus Armstrong former chairman, McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors; Sean O’Sullivan, managing director, Seabrook Research Ltd and Emer Finnan director of Strategic Development, EBS.
The new Authority has been appointed for a period of six months until the new Broadcasting Bill is enacted.
The minister will then appoint six members while the Oireachtas Communications Committee will select four. One person will be elected by RTÉ staff.
These new procedures are part of Mr Ryan’s efforts to reform the appointments process in state boards.
The Director General will sit on the Authority in an ex-officio capacity.
Mr Ryan said: “RTÉ should continue to develop talent inside and outside of its organisation to help Ireland’s indigenous film, television and radio sector to flourish.
“RTÉ also has a central role in developing our transmission infrastructure to ensure that the state can direct its own broadcasting industry in a sustainable, long-term way.”
