RTE GETTING SHIRTY OVER GAZA MESSAGE
O’connor song tribute group banned from voicing pro-palestinian support
RTE is embroiled in a fresh controversy after asking musicians to remove pro-palestinian clothing and emblems on Friday’s Late Late Show.
The broadcaster, in the eye of a storm since the payments scandal broke last June, faced another backlash in the wake of the talk show move.
RTE confirmed it had asked a member of the Irish Women in Harmony group to take off a T-shirt with a ‘GAZA’ love heart logo ahead of a tribute performance to Sinead O’connor.
The group performed a cover of Nothing Compares 2 U, that has been released to raise funds for the Aisling Project in Ballymun, Dublin.
Irish Artists for Palestine said one artist was asked to remove a T-shirt while others were asked to take off Palestine water melon solidarity badges.
After the TV chat show IAFP said: “Sinead, a resolute protest singer, refused to be silenced, and a crucial aspect of her legacy lies in the potency of music as a voice for the oppressed.
“We stand with the artists on tonight’s show who wished to use their voices to express solidarity with Palestine.
“We fully acknowledge the obstacles faced by women in the music industry, and commend the group on their ethos and performance.” Others rowed in on social media with musician Niamh Dunne accusing the national broadcaster of “staggering” double standards.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, she said: “We all saw what happened to Sinead when she spoke up and when she stood her ground in her truth telling.
“The blame lies entirely at the door of RTE and The Late Late Show.
“The double standards are staggering: in relation to a previous show supporting Ukraine and also the platform of the Israeli embassy freely wearing the Israeli flag on the national news.” RTE said that it had been implementing its impartiality guidelines
A spokeswoman said: “RTE aims to facilitate open debate on issues of public interest and concern.
“As such we ask that participants do not wear badges, symbols or emblems related to one particular point of view in the absence of a forum for a representation of all views.
“The Women in Harmony group performed a tribute to Sinead O’connor.
“Gaza and the conflict was not the subject of discussion or debate on this occasion.”
The blame lies entirely at the door of RTE and Late Late