Crisis shows us RTÉ doesn’t have to be so Dublin-centric

IF COVID-19 has fasttracked one aspect of our lives, it is how quickly we had to adapt in terms of working, family life and our interactions with each other, all while trying to ensure our safety.

RTÉ has also had to adapt, with many shows being produced and broadcast from the homes of staff.

And as we emerge from this pandemic, and we will, it is critical all organisations continue to evolve, and RTÉ cannot be immune from that process.

Already in cost-cutting mode from severe challenges that were well documented before the virus outbreak, it is imperative RTÉ continues to have a role in every region across the country. It is the national broadcaster after all.

Last year, RTÉ’s Limerick studios – its HQ for the midwest region – were earmarked for closure, along with the uprooting of Lyric FM to Dublin and Cork.

This death knell for those based in Limerick and the national radio station based outside of Dublin has been only temporarily staved off pending recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Irish Public Service Broadcasting due this September.

In the intervening period, RTÉ has found its regional presence critical when it comes to reporting and covering the unprecedented events of Covid-19.

And rightly so – the national broadcaster has an obligation to examine every aspect of how these unprecedented times are playing out across the island, whether on TV, radio or online.

The stories of the communities of Ardara, Co Donegal, and Tournafulla, Co Limerick, are as newsworthy and important as those of Sandymount and Rathfarnham in Dublin.

The public service provided by RTÉ, on a range of its productions and platforms, throughout this period has been critical to all.

Over the past two months, much like the now daily online teleconferences for work, RTÉ panel interviews feature guests from across the country, whether it is in its regional studios or via Zoom,

whereas the general insistence before from some shows was all guests needed to be based in its Dublin studios. Technical issues aside, RTÉ needs to realise a very Dublin-centric approach cannot continue despite its outstanding financial difficulties. There must be another way. Why not take it a step further and display a real commitment to the rest of the country outside of the Dublin commuter belt. Yes, just shy of two million people live in the Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare sprawl. But you know what else? Three million people live in the rest of the country. The savings from the proposed closing of RTÉ’s Limerick base were minimal at best and the long-term effects would be far worse. There is no point in going down that path again. After this is over, there is a big test coming for the top brass at Montrose. The challenge now will not be how many contributors to mainstream programmes come from regions and tick all the required boxes, but will the station commit to broadcasting full mainstream shows, currently firmly rooted in Dublin, from places like Limerick and Sligo? On its website, the national broadcaster states that “as an organisation and individually, RTÉ will be outward looking, creative, respectful, sustainable and accountable, collaborative and transparent”. The values section goes on to claim it will, “be resourceful and innovative in how it makes its content” and “be brave – take risks and be willing to learn from failures”. Undoubtedly, with less finance available, hard decisions await us all. However, I say to RTÉ director general Dee Forbes and her team, be brave and innovative. Look to the advantages of bases already established around the country. Embrace them and watch how they can support the central Dublin axis as opposed to a conflicting sides mentality. You will soon find, as many of your regional colleagues will testify, that the regions are more than willing to work and assist RTÉ in providing the best possible public service broadcasting going. And that is something the entire country will benefit from.