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File photo of RTÉ Studios, Donnybrook RollingNews.ie

RTÉ calls for end to moratorium on election coverage, citing desire to combat misinformation

The national broadcaster argues that such reporting is central to the democratic process in the digital age.

RTÉ HAS CALLED for the moratorium on election and referendum coverage to be scrapped, citing a desire to combat misinformation in a crucial window of time.

It argues that such reporting is central to the democratic process in the digital age.

The national broadcaster gave its opinion in response to a report by the media regulator as part of a public consultation on the matter.

Coimisiún na Meán has put forward five options, ranging from keeping the moratorium as it is, to getting rid of it completely.

As it stands, broadcasters, including radio and television, cannot report on elections or referenda from 2pm the day before polls close.

The Commission also suggested that, instead of scrapping the regulation altogether, the time frame be shortened.

RTÉ has described the restrictions on its reporting “anomalous”.

“If a story based on misinformation or disinformation emerges in what would be the moratorium period, broadcasters should have editorial freedom to report on this and bring relevant facts into the public domain.

“This is central to the democratic process in the digital era.”

RTÉ further argues that its viewpoint is consistent with the objectives of the Commission – providing accurate and accessible information to the public.

“Placing the obligation on a broadcaster to act within the Code, during that would be the moratorium period, is no more nor no less, than the obligation that already exists throughout the election period,” a statement said.

“In all circumstances, it will fall to the broadcaster to make an editorial decision on what stories should be carried during what would normally be the moratorium period, and where a story is published, it will be for the broadcaster to ensure it is in keeping with the regulatory codes and election rules.”

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kelly
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:10 AM

    Legacy issues? Like we want our country back

    236
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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Apr 24th 2025, 10:32 AM

    @John Kelly: What country are you talking about?You’ll have to be more specific as there were over 100 of them on this island before it was invaded and occupied.

    15
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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    Apr 25th 2025, 4:25 AM

    @John Kelly: can the royal family still use Freemason house?

    1
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    Mute Wendy Arbour aka Luas Vuitton - Dub Drag Queen
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:44 AM

    Is he not in the Vatican already?

    119
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    Mute sakk sa
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:33 AM

    I am sure now,to be leader in Ireland ,
    One of the conditions to speak unknown / twisted words,with deep hollow meaning irrelevant to the current sh@*t situations.

    136
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:05 PM

    @sakk sa: English isn’t that difficult to understand if you have enough education and have an ability to learn. There is no such thing as “unknown ” words nor ” twisted ” words , these are used usually used when someone doesn’t have the capacity to understand what words mean.

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    Mute GLxEnHDy
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:42 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: The point he’s making is fairly clear, a shame it’s gone over your head.

    21
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    Mute thomas molloy
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:43 AM

    It is speculated that in spite of the diplomatic interactions of public figures that the underlying sectarian doctrines and attitudes still remain strong in the reformation church followers. ie. Anti Catholicism still persists.

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    Mute Fran Ken
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:58 AM

    @thomas molloy: The bigotry is on both sides.

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    Mute Brian D'Arcy
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    Apr 24th 2025, 10:14 AM

    @Fran Ken: Who suppressed who again? Read your history son.

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    Mute Fran Ken
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    Apr 24th 2025, 10:28 AM

    @Brian D’Arcy: History, exactly. Now back to the present.

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:01 PM

    @Fran Ken: Well said.

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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    Apr 24th 2025, 8:21 PM

    Almost as bad as the Middle East….. 55 years on and not a day nearer to sorting it out. Bonfires and flag burning just around the corner.

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    Mute Truth Truth
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:21 PM

    TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS doesn’t have the integrity, decency or moral compass to speak his own language, no wonder he’s obsessed with Jews and Israel.

    9
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    Mute J Ven
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:55 PM

    Go to Belgium and have a waffle Mr Taoiseach because you seem to like them a lot.

    5
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    Mute Alan
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    Apr 24th 2025, 8:36 PM

    One poster here banging on about the Irish Sky. Jesus wept.

    5
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:00 PM

    @Alan: Yep classic jingoistic claptrap, but as time moves on hopefully these types and their little minds die off and we can get on with real issues.

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    Mute Alan
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:37 PM

    @Phillip Smyth: who says it’s yours? It’s mine as well. And all others who agree and disagree with both of us. The previous poster is right. Jingoistic, nationalist nonsense. No future in it for any of us. The north should seize the opportunity to become an independent state., free of nationalist and unionist dead ends

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    Mute Jb Walshe
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    Apr 24th 2025, 11:32 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: give back your O you soup taker

    3
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Apr 25th 2025, 5:30 AM

    @Jb Walshe: Well, I do like soup, but more importantly, your post just adds to the point that little minds haven’t moved on. It’s the same with SF they say they are for peace and reconciliation, but in fact, they are just a political front for terrorism, criminality, and the knuckle draggers like yourself. This is my country too and I’ll not be bending to will of supporters of Republican murders.

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    Mute Aidan Collins
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    Apr 25th 2025, 8:12 AM

    Some issues are ‘tricky’ says Benn. Yes, like the collusion and extra-judicial killings? Tricky, indeed.

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