Media watchdog to investigate two local radio stations over alleged breaches of programme standards

South East Radio is to be examined worrying prospective breaches of the Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs and the Broadcasting Act 2009.

It’s comprehended the grievance associates with declarations read out on the station’s Early morning Mix program on December 11, 13, and 14, 2024, “in relation to an off-air incident”when it is declared the speaker in concern “was not impartial or balanced, and misquoted statements”

It is thought the sections in concern dealt to some degree with relations in between previous Wexford County Council president Tom Enright and the radio station itself.

The 2 celebrations had actually been associated with a war of words for numerous years over the station’s supposed unjust treatment of the council’s operations from 2022 up until Mr Enright’s exit from the council after 10 years in February 2024.

South East Radio did not respond to an ask for remark.

Tipp FM is individually to be examined concerning possible breaches of Coimisiún na Mean’s Code of Programme Standards in addition to the fairness, neutrality and impartiality policy.

That problem came from a section on the Tipp Today program on August 12, 2024, where a letter from the general public read out in relation to guys cutting rhododendron flowers in the woods, with the problem declaring “the broadcast was not fair, impartial or objective to the men described in the letter”.

Tipperary County Council invested approximately EUR250,000 taking on intrusive types such as rhododendrons in between 2020 and 2024.

The 2 policies in concern respectively restrict the incitement to hatred and the promo of views prejudicial to the security of the environment, and prohibit the expression of a broadcaster’s own views on a subject.

In a declaration the station stated: “The investigation into Tipp FM announced today is part of Coimisiún na Meán’s complaints process and is in respect of a broadcast on Tipp FM from August 2024. We look forward to continuing to engage with An Coimisiún and will be not making any further comment at this stage.”

Should either station be discovered to be in offense of the policies, they might be penalized with a fine of as much as 10 % of turnover or EUR20m, whichever is the bigger figure, through powers made it possible for under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022.