A COMPLAINT MADE against sports journalist Eamon Dunphy’s comments which referred to the government’s “cruelty”, has been rejected by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).

The complaint was in relation to RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live, and referred to language used by Eamon Dunphy referring to the Government and some politicians.

The complaint was submitted under the Broadcasting Act 2009, under Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in news and current affairs section.

The complainant said that Dunphy’s comments were ”unfair and inaccurate”
and “were couched in extreme and/or emotive language”.

The complainant states that this kind of language does not lend itself to balanced debate and when it is incorrect and is not substantiated by fact, it is particularly offensive and harms. Some of the examples of comments made by Mr Dunphy were:

• “I am glad that the Labour Party is back in its box and may never get out again”
• “This Government has done everything to weaken the State”
• “Rural Ireland is being savaged”
• “The Irish media blackguarded Sinn Féin”
• “The Government imposed austerity and cruelty with relish on the public of this country”.

BAI ruling

In their response to the BAI, RTÉ clarified that the comments were clearly Donphy’s, not the public service broadcaster’s, and that Dunphy’s opinion was challenged over the course of the programme.

The BAI agreed that he was challenged by john Bruton, the former Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach and by members of the audience.

In their ruling, the BAI said that “Dunphy’s use of language when referring to the last Government such as ’arrogant’, ‘cruel’, and ‘savage’ was typical of his provocative style” when contributing to a debate.

The forum was of the view that it is important to allow free speech in all debates providing this is moderated well by the presenter and balanced with views from other contributors and/or a mixed audience.

“The forum found that in the case of this programme, a range of contributions was evident.”

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