Next RTÉ chair cannot let heart overrule the head

THERE’S lot of speculation as to who might take the job as the new chair of RTÉ, following Siún Ní Raghallaigh’s exit. Who would want it, given the publicity it would bring, far beyond what happens at most companies?

The job also pays a pittance compared to private sector organisations: €31,500 may seem a lot for a part-time role, but it will be as good as full-time. The chairman at Bank of Ireland gets paid more than ten times that.

Taking the RTÉ job would be almost an act of self-sacrifice as well as public service. Yet somebody will do it, with a combination of ego and wanting to serve the public interest persuading someone that it is worth doing.

The names mentioned so far are mainly experienced in academia and media – and in maintaining good relationships with government. They are all good people but that’s not what is most needed in a new chair. Vacancy: Former RTÉ chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh

Yes, a deep knowledge of the fast-changing nature of broadcasting and all media, and the fast erosion of revenues, would be good, as would a commitment to the requirements of public sector broadcasting.

It would help if the new person is an effective communicator in media interviews and appearances at Oireachtas committees. He or she should have empathy with the stresses for employees and contractors, but without letting the heart overrule the head.

What’s most important to saving RTÉ is that the new chair understands financial self-sufficiency and, crucially, has experience of restructuring a failing organisation and implementing deep cuts. That will be tough for many good people at RTÉ who feel at risk of losing their jobs because of managerial incompetence, but the reality of change is that what was proposed on the previous chair’s watch did not go nearly far enough.