IRELAND
The Irish Times
PAUL CULLEN, Political Staff
A FINE of about €200,000 is believed to have been imposed on RTÉ for breaches of fairness in the Prime Time Investigates programme that libelled Fr Kevin Reynolds.
Informed sources say the draft fine recommended by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is close to the €250,000 maximum allowed under legislation. One source told The Irish Times that it was substantial, while another described it as “circa €200,000”.
It is understood that there was disagreement on the board of the authority over the level of fine, before a majority decision was reached in favour of the imposition of a penalty at the upper end of the range allowed.
The report commissioned by the authority has found that the Mission to Prey programme broadcast last May was unfair to Fr Reynolds. Sources say the report, which was received by RTÉ last Thursday, “pulls no punches” in its criticism of the way the programme was made.
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