Former newspaper editor is appointed to RTÉ board
THE former editor of ‘The Sunday Business Post’, Ian Kehoe, has been appointed by the Government to the board of RTÉ for a five-year term.
The board, which succeeds the RTÉ Authority, is separate to the broadcaster’s executive board responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation.
The move was sanctioned following a competitive selection process conducted by the Public Appointments Service.
Mr Kehoe was editor of ‘The Sunday Business Post’ for four years, having previously worked as a reporter for the newspaper and as a reporter on RTÉ’s ‘Prime Time’ programme.
“Ian Kehoe was selected due to his significant professional experience in public service media and the creative industries,” said Communications Minister Denis Naughten, who oversaw the appointment.
“I am confident that Mr Kehoe will greatly add to the expertise available to the board as it continues to meet its obligations at a challenging time in broadcasting and emerging communications technologies.”
The appointment does not preclude Mr Kehoe from contributing to RTÉ programmes or other journalistic ventures.
The move comes as RTÉ faces a financial crunch after the Government ruled out an increase in the licence fee.
Last week, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) called for an “immediate” funding increase of €30m for the broadcaster “given the urgency of RTÉ’s funding position”, arguing that it cannot continue at its current income levels.
“There has been no television licence fee increase in over 10 years,” concluded the BAI report, summarising the findings of its five-year review into the public service broadcasting sector.
RTÉ director-general Dee Forbes has said the licence fee should be doubled, but Mr Naughten has refused.
‘He was selected for his significant professional experience’