TV show cleared in house price crash row
A high-profile RTÉ television programme exploring a possible crash in the property market was today cleared of charges it was reckless and dishonest.
The Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) rejected accusations by a construction boss that Future Shock: Property Crash, broadcast in April, was biased.
The television and radio watchdog ruled the programme-makers were fair and impartial in their examination of the prospects for the country’s housing market.
David D’Alton, the managing director of a house building company employing around 90 workers, alleged the one-off RTÉ special was sensationalist and endangered construction jobs.
The show, presented by journalist Richard Curran, attracted controversy for airing views that house prices could plummet by as much as 30% if the bubble burst.
A permanent tsb/Economic and Social Research Institute survey published today showed the average price of a home fell by 2.6% this year.
Builders, developers and estate agents were incensed, with many turning on RTÉ to complain about the contents of the show.
But the State broadcaster stressed that it was never stated in the programme that a hard landing was inevitable – just that it was a possibility.
It told the BCC there were opposing contributors arguing for both a hard landing and a soft landing included in the programme.
The broadcaster insisted there was a public interest to examine and consider the worst-case scenario.
The broadcasting watchdog accepted RTÉ’s arguments and ruled that the programme was entitled to explore the issue .
“The programme-makers ensured that there was balance of opinion by providing sufficient airtime to experts who did not foresee a hard landing,” it said.
“The subject matter was treated fairly.”
