Standing out from the herd
Nina Kiernan (10), Beth Healy (4) and Amelia Twomey (2) were at Dublin Zoo last night as it was announced the top family attraction would host a winter lighting spectacular called Wild Lights.
NEWSTALK has launched a full investigation into how afternoon show presenter George Hook made his controversial statement about rape victims on air.
Sources inside the station said “a process has started” at the broadcaster, trying to get to the bottom of how Mr Hook’s remarks, which caused widespread dismay, were aired.
Yesterday, Adrian Serle, the chief executive of Newstalk’s parent company Communicorp, addressed Newstalk staff and discussed the incident.
“He told the team in the station that a review is underway and a process has started. It will cover all aspects of the broadcast and he said it would be conducted in a very respectful manner,” a source said.
“Staff were told that the station would not be railroaded into a decision by social media or media commentary. The review will not be rushed but it is expected to report fairly soon.”
Depending on the results of the review, the future of the afternoon show in its current format and its presenter will be centre stage.
Mr Serle told staff they were treating the incident with the utmost seriousness, and recognised the hurt caused.
Newstalk apologised for the comments made by Mr Hook over the weekend, with Mr Hook himself apologising twice.
His remarks were made on his ‘High Noon’ programme, while he discussed the case of a young woman.
“Is there no blame to the person who puts themselves in danger?” he asked.
A total of nine complaints have been made to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) about the segment, including one from the Women’s Council of Ireland.
On Monday, Dalata Hotel Group withdrew its sponsorship – believed to be worth about €250,000 from Newstalk – as it could not “support any radio station that allows inappropriate and hurtful comments to be made”.
Last night, Pat Kenny defended his Newstalk colleague. “The comments are not reflective of him. He is a decent man with children and was musing over a topic.”
Mr Kenny stressed that he was “not in any way trying to espouse the point of view that [Mr Hook] articulated”.