STAFF SAY ‘CULTURE OF AGENTS’ LIVES ON
THERE was anger in RTÉ this week when it emerged that some of the station’s prominent figures directed requests to share internal content to their agents.
The issue was raised at a ‘townhall’ meeting in Montrose by frustrated members of the RTÉ Young People’s Programming department. Raising the matter with director general Kevin Bakhurst, they said these prominent figures referred them to their agents when they asked for a short video to be shared on their platforms.
The Irish Daily Mail understands that a member of staff working in RTÉ Junior – which creates programmes and content for children – said that on some occasions they had asked those at the national broadcaster with large social media followings to promote the department’s work.
The staff member said that they have no budget for social media videos, and were only looking for a short 30-second post for some of their online channels.
Mr Bakhurst responded to the staff member saying they should contact the star’s relevant line manager with the request.
The RTÉ Junior staff member is understood to have said at the meeting that ‘the culture of the agent still exists’ in the State broadcaster.
One source who was at the meeting told the Mail there was a significant reaction to this exchange from other staff. ‘It was shocking to hear that,’ the staff member said.
‘The idea that an RTÉ colleague would approach them for a little digout and they would say: “Talk to my agent” had a strong reaction from staff. It’s completely tone-deaf behaviour. You don’t feel any loyalty to the people you work with?’
Another staff member who was present said that people seemed
‘People felt it was mean and tight-fisted’
‘shocked’ by the revelation.
‘It points to a mé féin attitude,’ the source said after the meeting.
‘People felt it was the height of bad manners, mean and tight-fisted.’
RTÉ’s new register of external activity for those employed in the News, Current Affairs and Content divisions came into force this week.
Last month, Mr Bakhurst wrote to staff outlining how both the register of external activities and register of interest work.
‘Compliance with both registers is mandatory,’ he said in the email.