Newry MLA questions RTE’s stance on competitions

SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty has called on RTÉ to clarify the reason northern viewers are not able to take part in competitions on some of the station’s most popular television shows.

Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty explained, “Over recent weeks I have noticed that competitions on shows such as the Sunday Game or The Late Late Show are not open to residents in the north.

“Armagh is every bit as Irish as Athlone. This is completely unacceptable and is infuriating many of us RTÉ’s northern viewers.

“RTÉ is our national broadcaster and it does not just broadcast to the Republic of Ireland. To restrict access to the services and competitions hosted by RTÉ has caused much indignation within the community I represent.

He continued, “The Sunday Game and Late Late Show along with many other shows produced by RTÉ are part of the fabric of life here and to be excluded from participation in competitions I believe is discriminatory.

“I have raised my concerns with the Director General of RTÉ in the strongest possible terms. I have asked her to explain the rationale behind what I believe to be a discriminatory practice and outline any appraisal of equality considerations which were part of the decision making process.”

McNulty added, ‘This is not a trivial matter and it’s not about encouraging people to engage in competitions.

“It’s about all viewers across this island being treated on a fair and equitable basis. I am not letting this go – it’s an issue that has to be resolved so that Northern viewers do not feel left out.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Feb 28 2019. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry