McNulty urges RTÉ to amend competition rules for viewers in North | Newry News
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has urged RTÉ to reconsider its decision to prohibit viewers in the North from entering competitions run by the broadcaster.
Mr McNulty was speaking ahead of Co Down presenter Patrick Kielty’s debut as the new Late Late Show host.
He said that previous concerns from RTÉ that allowing viewers in the North to enter competitions could cause legal issues had been addressed by Stormont’s Department for Communities.
Newry and Armagh MLA Mr McNulty says, “There is great excitement and anticipation across the North as one of our own, Patrick Kielty, is set to take the helm of one of Irish television’s most iconic institutions, the Late Late Show.
“From Derry to Newry and, of course, Dundrum, people will be turning in to show their support and to see how Patrick gets on in his new gig.
“I was dismayed to learn that even though a presenter from the North will now be presenting the programme, RTÉ intends to keep in place their ban preventing viewers here from entering competitions run by the broadcaster.
“I have engaged in exhaustive discussions with RTÉ on this issue in recent years, informing them that the law had been changed here to address their concerns.
“Last year the then Director-General informed me the broadcaster would be reviewing their legal advice following these changes, but still, we are no further on.
“It’s farcical that we are now facing a situation where a Northerner will now be fronting the programme, while his family and friends sit at home watching, unable to enter the very competitions he is promoting on his debut show.
“This is not solely a Late Late Show issue; viewers here are prevented from entering competitions on programmes like The Sunday Game, even when Northern teams are competing.
“I have once again reached out to RTÉ through new Director-General Kevin Bankhurst, asking him to revisit this issue and lift this ban once and for all.
The local MLA adds, “The broadcaster has an obligation to its many viewers in the North, and it’s long past time they took their views and concerns on board.”
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Posted by NewryTimes News
on Sep 15 2023. Filed under Community, Politics, Sport.
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