Reynolds Solicitor Dismisses 'Prime Time' Changes As 'Probably Cosmetic'
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A solicitor for defamed priest Fr Kevin Reynolds has dismissed a move by RTÉ to scrap the 'Prime Time Investigates' series as "probably cosmetic". The decision was part of a range of measures announced by the state broadcaster yesterday in the wake of the 'Mission to Prey' programme. The managing director of RTÉ's news and current affairs division, Ed Mulhall tendered his resignation "in the best interests of the organisation". Former editor of current affairs Ken O'Shea also resigned but is not leaving the station. RTÉ also announced that the 'Prime Time Investigates' series would not return, but a new series of investigative programmes will be announced later this year. But this morning solicitor Robert Dore questioned some of the other elements of RTÉ's plan saying that many of the decisions seemed "premature" in light of the fact that a Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) report is yet to be published. "The first thing is the 'Prime Time' title goes - I think that's probably cosmetic," he said. "I think it's purely rebranding. "I think that another title will be chosen - it'll be the same format with another title." RTÉ said yesterday that a new editorial standards board will oversee programme standards and take a role in a revised complaints procedure, a move which Mr Dore said he was "bemused" about. "This is going to be the fourth investigation" into the matter, Mr Dore said. The 'Mission To Prey' programme, aired on May 23 last year, falsely accused Fr Reynolds of raping a minor and fathering a child while working in Kenya 30 years ago. The missionary priest won a substantial out-of-court settlement after he took a libel action against the national broadcaster. The RTÉ Board commissioned internal and external investigations into the matter while the BAI is this week expected to publish a report from its own inquiry. Mr Dore said RTÉ should have waited until that report is released. "You have to understand that all I have seen is the RTÉ 'key changes' statement of yesterday," he said. "RTÉ have all along maintained that they would not take any steps pending the decision of the BAI and the BAI report. "As far as I am aware they (RTÉ) haven't got those documents yet, but they have chosen to take the steps that they have. "And I think that that's premature." Other changes announced by the broadcaster yesterday include: - A new Current Affairs Investigations Unit working on a multi-media basis of radio, TV and online. - A selection of documentaries will be announced ahead of the autumn schedule. - Five TV news and current affairs management positions are being created, including two in editorial management. RTÉ Director General Noel Curran said RTE could not comment on anything directly concerning 'Mission To Prey' or the investigation but insisted all matters will be dealt with when the BAI inquiry is finalised. "The publication of these new structures and guidelines is, we hope, a key step in an important direction," he said. "The range of measures in these documents represents RTÉ's determination to make our journalism stronger, fairer and more transparent, and to reiterate our commitment to journalism as a core public service."
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