RTÉ has said it is disappointed at Dublin Pride’s decision to end its partnership with the State broadcaster
Organisers of the annual event yesterday terminated their media partnership with RTÉ over a series of discussions related to Trans and identity isues on Liveline.
In a statement they said they were "both angered and disappointed" by recent "unacceptable, triggering and extremely harmful anti-trans discussions" on Joe Duffy's Liveline programme on the programme.
"As an official media partner of Dublin Pride, but more importantly as Ireland's national broadcaster, we expect better than for RTÉ to stoke the flames of anti-trans rhetoric," they said.
Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride's statement on termination of media partnership with RTÉ. pic.twitter.com/8yfu1rIiQt
— Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride (@DublinPride) June 14, 2022
In a statement today, RTÉ said it was disappointed with the decision.
"Public discussion - sometimes uncomfortable, difficult, and contentious - is central to RTÉ’s prescribed purpose," it said.
"RTÉ is acutely aware that discussions on issues such as gender and identity are deeply personal to many. It is important we listen to them, their families and those close to them, and it is also important that we allow our audiences engage with and understand the issues involved."
Dublin Pride made its decision after the Liveline show hosted discussion on Trans and identity issues three days in a row this week.
The broadcaster said it would "respond to any formal complaints concerning the broadcasts".
It said its three-year partnership with Pride sent "an important signal that RTÉ is here to serve everyone".
"RTÉ will continue to stand with our LGBTQ+ staff and the wider community during Pride month and beyond," it said.
"In time, we hope that we will once again get the opportunity to continue to develop our partnership with Dublin Pride."
Pride said the Liveline shows had undone much the good work the partnership had achieved over the past three years - a situation it labelled "saddening in the extreme".
