Corporate Responsibility 2008 Audiences / Staff / Business interactions / Government and Regulators / Environment

Contents 1

Introduction

03 Foreword 04 Progress on Objectives set in Corporate Responsibility Report 2007

Activities 2007/08

08 1 Understanding our Audiences Better 10 2 Meeting the needs of our Audiences 18 3 Our Staff 24 4 Our Business interactions 28 5 Government and Regulators 32 6 The Environment

Looking Forward

38 Intercultural Strategy 40 RTÉ Belfast – New stories to tell 44 2008/2009 Objectives 2 Foreword 3

RTÉ has engaged in socially For RTÉ, it can at times be diffi cult devised, planned and implemented responsible activities for many to determine what Corporate by RTÉ staff who believe that RTÉ years but this is only the third year Responsibility (CR) is and what is has a responsibility beyond its core that RTÉ has produced a Corporate fulfi lling our statutory obligations functions. Responsibility Report. as a Public Service Broadcaster (PSB). There are many defi nitions Whether it is in utilising new of CR but RTÉ clearly articulated its technologies to better understand approach in our fi rst report in 2006: and meet the needs of the audiences, developing a cross- RTÉ’s approach … is based on the media project to address a critical moral case that, as Ireland’s primary national health issue, planning a Public Service Broadcaster, we have a new crèche for the children of RTÉ responsibility to do the right thing for staff or devising ways in which RTÉ Irish society can become more energy effi cient – the past year has featured a As such therefore, what is recorded range of projects that refl ect the in this report is how RTÉ goes Organisation’s stated aspirations beyond the ‘day job’ as a PSB, to for CR. voluntarily go the extra mile in dealings with our audiences, staff, RTÉ’s CR programme is now well business partners, the Government established and this year for the and in relation to the environment. fi rst time we are reporting on goals we set for ourselves a year ago. Of the different reports RTÉ The Organisation is making good produces each year to record and progress as can be seen from the describe what we have achieved summary that follows. the CR report perhaps best describes the character of RTÉ as an organisation – what it stands for, what values are important to it and how the Organisation perceives itself as part of the community. Values, if they are to mean anything real and tangible, must be more than something that are detailed in brochures or on posters; they must be lived and given life by people. This report provides an insight into a variety of different initiatives carried out in the last year, each 4 Progress on Objectives set in Corporate Responsibility Report 2007

Audiences Objective Progress Bring the RTÉ Guide brand to new audiences on the rteguide.ie went live in July 2007. It has grown from web, with an extensive , service-driven rteguide.ie 100,000 hits in the fi rst month to 517,000 in June 2008. website and through multimedia projects. Multimedia activities included the Dark Knight project with a videoed fi lm review on rteguide.ie, supported by RTÉ’s You Tube site http://uk.youtube.com/user/rte and mobile phone content issued to subscribers. A pilot of aggregated Irish language material on the RTÉ.ie/nuacht is the only website with daily news RTÉ website will be launched Q4 2007. headlines “as Gaelige”. Using the resources of RTÉ Nuacht, RTÉ.ie publishes the text and on-demand video of Cinnlínte Nuachta and on-demand video Nuacht daily and Pobal on a weekly basis. RTÉ.ie/nuacht also features classic Nuacht Faisnéiseáin (documentaries) and provides links to RTÉ.ie/live where Nuacht and Cinnlínte Nuachta can be viewed live around the world. Continue with RTÉ’s sponsorship of the BT Young RTÉ sponsored the Behaviour and Social Sciences Scientist and Technology Exhibition and explore category at the BT Young Scientist and Technology opportunities to sponsor one other event which would Exhibition 2008. See page 12 of Corporate Responsibility also help us reach younger audiences by Q4 2007. Report 2008 (CR 2008) for further information.

RTÉ Education enabled the distribution of RTÉ Radio 1 Mooney contributor, Éanna Ní Lamhna’s book Wild Dublin to all primary and post primary schools in the greater Dublin region in Q2 2008. Establish an Audience Reaction Panel for RTÉ in RTÉ Audience Opinion went live in Q4 2007. Q3 2007 which will provide a direct channel of See page 8 of CR 2008. communication from a representative sample of the Irish audience so that RTÉ can further connect with its viewers, listeners, news consumers and internet users. Commencing in Q3 2007, RTÉ Access Services will Two RTÉ personnel were trained in preparation for deliver a programme of presentation skills for those the provision of television presentation skills to qualifi ed in ISL (Irish Sign Language) interpretation to ISL interpreters. RTÉ is awaiting the selection of signers and deaf associations. candidates by the Irish Deaf Society. Progress on Objectives set in Corporate Responsibility Report 2007 5

Staff Objective Progress Policies on Stress, Alcohol and Substance Abuse to be RTÉ published the Drugs and Alcohol Policy on published by Q4 2007. it’s intranet in Q3 2007. RTÉ published its policy on Prevention and Management of Workplace Stress in Q2 2008. See page 18 of CR 2008 for more information. Presentations set in the context of RTÉ’s Policy on Dignity and Respect in the Workplace presentations took Bullying and Harassment to be rolled out to all RTÉ staff place in 2007/2008. See page 18 of CR 2008. by end of 2007. A follow-up staff survey in Q4 2007 which will be RTÉ Staff Opinion Survey was conducted in Q4 2007. measured against the 2005 results. See page 18 of CR 2008. A review, reinvigoration and implementation of the This is behind schedule; the review was completed Partnership process in RTÉ by end 2007. and recommendations are being implemented. See page 18 of CR 2008.

Our Suppliers Objective Progress Set up a preferred supplier register on Marconi, RTÉ’s The project has been delayed due to the volume of intranet site, by Q1 2008. suppliers that required cataloguing. It is expected the directory will be operative by Q4 2008.

There are currently 63 category groups and over 4,000 contracted, preferred and other suppliers registered on the current supplier system – Agresso. RTÉNL will introduce new effi cient technologies for A new transmitter was commissioned into service in AM radio broadcasting that substantially reduce power early 2008 for the RTÉ Radio 1 LW 252 AM service. consumption and simultaneously increase service The new transmitter is delivering a 25% reduction in diversity by Q1 2008. power consumption and can work in either Analogue or Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) mode. 6 Progress on Objectives set in Corporate Responsibility Report 2007 7

Government and Regulators Objective Progress Prepare the second iteration of the Strategic Corporate The Plan was submitted to the Department of Plan 2007-2011 and a summary for general distribution Communications, Energy and Natural Resources by Q3 2007. (DCENR) in Q2 2007. A summary of the plan entitled It’s All About You was circulated with the RTÉ Guide and publised online on RTÉ.ie An Advisory Note to the Directorate General For DTT Mux 1 – In accordance with the direction stated in Competition and the Directorate General For Information the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007, RTÉ will submit Society & Media of the European Commission concerning plans to DCENR before end 2007 on its approach to RTÉ’s approach to Digital Switchover in Ireland was developing DTT. published August 2007. This and responses formed the core of RTÉ’s submission to the DCENR.

Publish policy on delivering content in converged An anticipated EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive is market by the end of Q2 2008. not yet transposed into Irish law.

As part of its strategy to deliver content across all platforms, RTÉ established a cross-media content group Q1 2008. This cross-media group will deliver RTÉ content on Television, Radio and Online. BCI Advertising Codes – RTÉ will make a submission The BCI review of the Children’s Advertising Code is regarding the BCI Children’s Advertising Code review currently underway; RTÉ expects to see a fi rst draft of process during Q1 2008. This BCI Review will start by this review in Q3 2008. Q3 and end in Q2 2008.

The Environment Objective Progress Staff awareness training and Energy Awareness Staff initiatives took place in 2007. See page 32 of CR Days to begin Q3 2007 consisting of themes based 2008. on the Power of One drive currently underway by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR). Establish the feasibility of the winning suggestions Stickers, reminding staff to turn off lights, were from the Reduce Reuse Recycle Challenge by end of Q2 positioned by light switches in the Television and 2008. Radio buildings along with infrared detectors which power off lights in unoccupied areas. In addition to reduce paper usage printers across the organisation were, where appropriate, set to print double sided as default. The feasibility of two other ideas was investigated but costs proved prohibitive at this time. Following our 2006 energy audit, reduce our CO2 by RTÉ carried out a number of changes in the 2,300 tonnes and our energy consumption by 4 million Donnybrook site including contracting a new energy kWh by the end of Q4 2007. supplier, introducing high effi ciency burners on gas and introducing lighting managements systems which resulted in targets being achieved in Q4 2007. Pursue an alternative to reduce the use of polystyrene Polystyrene was eliminated from restaurant operations in restaurant operations by the end of Q4 2007. by Q1 2008. Partner the Dublin Transport Offi ce in their campaign The One Small Step campaign was initiated in RTÉ in Q3 to encourage car users in the Greater Dublin Area to 2007. See Case Study on page 36 of CR 2008. take personal responsibility for reducing congestion by promoting the campaign to RTÉ staff and implementing a workplace travel plan by Q2 2008. 8 1 Understanding our Audiences Better

As Ireland’s primary Public Service In addition to tailored / bespoke RTÉ Audience Opinion has two main Broadcaster, it is imperative that research projects (e.g. Corporate outputs which are available, on RTÉ understands the needs and Reputation Surveys, Brand Tracker a confi dential basis, to senior wishes of our audiences. For surveys, etc.) and the established editorial staff within RTÉ: fi rstly, many years RTÉ has been party media industry measurements a statistical analysis tool that to joint industry qualitative and such as the Television Audience provides audience reaction data on quantitative research initiatives, Measurement (TAM) the Joint measures of relevance to RTÉ across that not only provide a clear and National Listenership Research a range of television channels independent measurement of (JNLR), the Joint National Readership and radio stations and secondly, a audience for commercial purposes, Survey (JNRS) and the Joint National searchable database of audience but also serve as indispensable Internet Research (JNIR), in 2007 comments on programmes tools for determining general RTÉ tendered for the development, watched and \ or listened to. audience preferences by reference implementation and management to different audience sizes. of a new internet-based Audience The system provides quantitative Reaction Panel. The contract was and qualitative information to awarded to the international market senior RTÉ management on a research agency, GfK NOP Media. daily basis, giving a powerful insight from a representative The purpose of the Reaction Panel, sample of people into why those branded RTÉ Audience Opinion, is who watched and listened to to facilitate the delivery of regular particular programmes may have and systematic reaction from Irish done so. In practical terms this audiences to broadcast and online means that RTÉ has timely access outputs from RTÉ and others. to audience reaction over a wide range of topics and by certain The system went live in October audience groupings of what 2007 with a basic panel consisting they liked and didn’t like about of 3,000 people, recruited by specifi c programmes, schedules, GfK NOP Media, designed and etc. For Radio programme makers, structured to be representative previously reliant primarily on the of the population of Ireland in quarterly JNLR data, this represents terms of gender, age and region. a dramatic increase in information Appropriate technical procedures about their audiences – information have been put in place to mitigate that is both immediate and directly against any potential bias resulting relevant and can greatly assist from the sample being online. editorial planning and choices. Understanding our Audiences Better 9

On average, more than 750 Measuring the value of Using the Audience Opinion tool, panellists report daily on the Public Service Broadcasting RTÉ will now be able to objectively previous day and evening’s radio The inclusion of programme- measure, in addition to the choices and television output. In addition specifi c questions and full survey of our audiences, the subjective to rating radio and television questionnaires is also feasible. opinions and motivations that programmes, panellists score These extra features provide still inform those choices on an ongoing all programmes that they have deeper qualitative or quantitative basis. In so doing RTÉ will be watched or listened to against insight into audience preferences able to provide government and a uniform set of key editorial around specifi c themes, cross media regulators a much fuller picture measures determined by senior projects and subjects of corporate, of its value as a Public Service RTÉ management. Furthermore, schedule or programme concern. Broadcaster to those that watch the application of a genre and listen to programmes or access classifi cation system for all Increasing and legitimate public online services. programmes broadcast provides and political pressure to account the capacity for matters specifi c for Licence Fee levels means that All-in-all RTÉ Audience Opinion is to each genre to be evaluated. RTÉ, like most Public Service a very signifi cant step forward in Broadcasters, must demonstrate helping RTÉ programme makers Critically this system allows value for money and performance, better understand the needs of RTÉ to measure quantitatively, not just in terms of services, cost our audiences and so develop the qualitative feedback of effectiveness and revenues but programming that not only meets the panellists. Over time this also in more diffi cult to measure those needs but also appropriately will give programme makers and subjective areas such as challenges them. Far from empirical insight into what programme quality, public service, replacing the judgement, creativity previously might have been public trust and innovation. and talent of staff, RTÉ Audience intuitive judgements about how Opinion has the potential to place audiences feel about issues Accurately and reliably measuring measurable values on those critical like the impartiality, originality, the opinion of audiences on human and organisational inputs engagement and entertainment these subjective areas is diffi cult. based on the actual opinions of value of programmes. This gives Typically measurement of this viewers and listeners. programme makers a whole new type is conducted using bespoke set of tools to make judgements research tools such as dedicated about what they are doing and surveys or focus groups. However allows audiences to meaningfully these methods can only provide infl uence the programmes they a snapshot in time and given their watch or listen to. cost tend to be relatively infrequent. 10 2 Meeting the needs of our Audiences

2.1 Supporting Interculturalism Three television documentaries RTÉ News and Current Affairs’ on RTÉ One West of Mecca, Here to programme Nationwide broadcast Building on a commitment to Stay, Welcome to Europe, each looked a special programme on the support interculturalism outlined at different aspects of migration new Irish. Speaking to people of in RTÉ Corporate Responsibility and cultural diversity. A series of different nationalities, cultures 2007, RTÉ marked Intercultural one-minute short fi lms, Richness of and religious beliefs living in and Anti-racism Week 2008 on Change, was broadcast throughout Dublin, Drogheda and Gort, the Television, Radio and RTÉ.ie, the week featuring individual programme provided a real insight with a wide range of engaging, immigrants’ perspectives on their into the realities of integration in insightful and entertaining lives in Ireland. school, in the workplace and in the programming. The week was part broader community. This special of the European Year of Intercultural Each afternoon the Seoige and programme received the highest Dialogue (EYID), see ( http://www. O’Shea Show looked at the lives ratings for Nationwide broadcasts in interculturaldialogue2008.eu/ ). In of newcomers to Ireland through April with an audience of 340,000 announcing RTÉ’s support for the a series of interviews with Nigerian, (AGB Nielsen Media Research). week, RTÉ Director-General, Cathal Brazilian, Polish, Pakistani and Goan, said: Chinese people living and working On RTÉ Radio 1, Today with Pat in different parts of the country. Kenny featured a series of reports RTÉ is proud to support Intercultural The Afternoon Show also featured on the Polish community in Ireland and Anti-racism Week to highlight two newcomers to Ireland as well and The Tubridy Show broadcast a and promote interculturalism within as sampling Eastern European special programme from Clonakilty Irish society. The demographic cuisine in studio. Community College in West Cork, make-up of Irish society has changed an area which has been attracting hugely in the past ten years, with To mark the week, The Den on people of various nationalities since immigrants now constituting RTÉ Two gathered together, themed the 1970s. more than ten per cent of Ireland’s and broadcast daily a selection population. A core part of RTÉ’s of Kids Speak from children (aged The Sunday Playhouse on RTÉ stated mission is to ‘nurture and two to 16) of ethnic and cultural Radio 1 broadcast a comical play, refl ect the cultural and regional minorities. Some sang in their own Between Storeys, about multicultural diversity of all the people of Ireland’ language, played instruments or Ireland by Gavin Corbett and and the programming being talked about events specifi c to their the Music Collection: Rhythms of broadcast this week is a celebration cultures. Life programme featured music of the positive interaction between and conversation from and with the various ethnicities that make up the members of the Brazilian Irish society today. community in Gort, Co.Galway. Meeting the needs of our Audiences 11

Similar to the short fi lms on 2.2 RTÉ.ie/lisbon Television, throughout the week RTÉ Radio 1 broadcast short feature Central to RTÉ’s Vision of interviews, entitled Insights on maintaining the trust of the Irish Ireland, documenting the diversity people is to provide news and of origin, voice and experience of current affairs that is impartial Ireland’s immigrant population. and fair. Just as general elections provide a particular set of A specially designed website responsibilities and challenges for RTÉ.ie/diversity, supported the RTÉ, referendums with potential to Television and Radio output with amend the constitution also require previews and highlights of the special attention. week’s programmes. In addition, the site featured a calendar of The Referendum on the Lisbon upcoming intercultural events Treaty was a more diffi cult from around Ireland and links to referendum than most to cover, relevant organisations. The site is not because of the passion and now a permanent part of RTÉ.ie and convictions of both sides, but rather acts as a hub for programmes from because of the complexity of the across the Radio and Television Lisbon Treaty itself. A lengthy schedules and for web exclusive document of legalistic language features and news. that in large measure amends and abridges existing treaties as well as RTÉ’s support for Intercultural and adding new language, the full text Anti-racism Week 2008 marks an of the Lisbon Treaty is a daunting important milestone in what is a document for most people. long term commitment to providing a diversity of output that better Beyond the considerable Television refl ects the Ireland of today. and Radio programming dedicated to airing the full range of Following on from the week perspectives on both sides of the RTÉ continued to support Treaty, RTÉ developed a dedicated interculturalism by hosting a website for the duration of the training day for participants on Lisbon Treaty campaign to help the Immigrant Council of Ireland’s make sense of the treaty for voters Leadership Programme in May. in a way that was accessible, The objective of the session was to neutral and comprehensive. assist the programme participants, each leaders of different immigrant Mindful of RTÉ’s remit and aware organisations, in gaining a better of RTÉ’s own research (Source: understanding of how the media RTÉ Audience Opinion) that people in Ireland works and in developing were clearly seeking neutral, non- comprehensive and effective partisan and lucid information to communication strategies. help them make up their minds, the website RTÉ.ie/lisbon provided RTÉ’s new Intercultural Strategy a most comprehensive source is explained in more detail on of explanatory information on page 38 of this report. the Lisbon Treaty, analysis of the different campaigning positions and up to date news on campaign developments. 12

RTÉ.ie developed a series of • Top Five Issues: In addition to 2.3 RTÉ in the Community innovative features and extensive Television coverage partnerships to allow users to better of the Lisbon Treaty campaign, Critical to RTÉ’s Mission of understand the Treaty, including: RTÉ recorded video pieces, nurturing and refl ecting the cultural exclusively available at RTÉ.ie/ and regional diversity of all the • Treaty Breakdown: In partnership lisbon, of prominent campaigners people of Ireland is partnering with with Peadar Ó Broin from the on both sides of the referendum and covering different types of Institute of International and debate talking about key issues events around the country. During European Affairs, RTÉ developed in the Treaty. Featuring different 2007/2008 RTÉ supported an interactive easy-to-read opinion formers the videos a range of different events, ‘consolidated’ version of the allowed users to listen to the the following are a selection: text in the Treaty Breakdown arguments on both sides without section of the site. This clearly interruptions. At the Young Scientists illustrated what text had been RTÉ sponsored the Behaviour retained from the rejected EU RTÉ.ie/lisbon was a key part of and Social Science category of the Constitution and what was being RTÉ’s overall coverage of the BT Young Scientist and Technology deleted and added in the Lisbon Lisbon Treaty referendum. Different Exhibition 2008 for the second year. Treaty. In addition RTÉ’s Europe from the broadcast coverage on Editor, Sean Whelan’s roll-over both Radio and Television the As well as retaining an exhibition comment notes, entitled Whelan’s website allowed users to browse, space in the RDS for the duration Wisdom, provided insights into watch and read about the Treaty of the Exhibition, RTÉ broadcast six the political background to the in their own time. Based on RTÉ and a half hours on RTÉ Television changes and inclusions in the Audience Opinion research and nine and a half hours on RTÉ new consolidated text RTÉ.ie/lisbon website was the Radio of content directly related to • Lisbon Treaty Audiobook: For second most visited Treaty site the event. RTÉ began its support those who had restricted vision after the Referendum Commission of the event in Autumn 2007 when or simply preferred to listen to site. During the course of the Treaty RTÉ Young Peoples Programmes a recording of the Treaty and campaign RTÉ.ie/lisbon received (YPPs) broadcast a specially neutral analysis, RTÉ recorded an over 1.8 million visitors. commissioned series of reports to audiobook of the consolidated coincide with pupils returning to text and additional commentary school and commencing work on by Sean Whelan. The audiobook their projects. was made available for download as an MP3 and podcast Another example of Students at the RTÉ working in the BT Young Scientist community is the RTÉ and Technology National Symphony Exhibition 2008 were Orchestra’s encouraged, by RTÉ, (NSO) residency to try their hand at programmes. In 2007, broadcasting. the RTÉ NSO visited They were invited Co. Clare, performing to enter a competition to over 4,500 people to Be a Reporter in Ennistymon, for A Day with RTÉ Kilrush, Kilkee, Scariff, news2day, a children’s Ennis and Shannon. weekday news This activity embraces service broadcast RTÉ’s mission to on RTÉ Two. enable national participation in events while connecting with regional audiences.

Lights Camera Action Visitors were given the opportunity In addition RTÉ News journalists Building on experience gained in to ‘present’ weather bulletins taught students how to script, fi lm 2007, RTÉ had a more interactive in a fully operational studio and edit news reports which were exhibition space in the RDS to environment and question published on the web in a specially encourage young people to engage production staff about lighting, designed newsblog webpage on with the technology RTÉ works sound engineering and the micro-site. The online team set with on a daily basis. broadcasting. Many of these up work stations to demonstrate weather bulletins were broadcast the breath of information available For the fi rst time, RTÉ built a on a specially built micro-site on RTÉ.ie/btyoungscientist and Chroma key set outside the RTÉ on RTÉ.ie/btyoungscientist. The explained to visitors how the studios. This new development bulletins will be hosted on the site content is published and managed to the RTÉ stand allowed visitors until the next exhibition in January behind the scenes. to experience the magic of 2009 which means students can television and be transported to show their work to friends and As well as reporting on all the the rain forests of the Amazon, the family for 12 months. action from the Exhibition, RTÉ melting polar caps of the Arctic news2day selected an entrant to and scorched Saharan deserts RTÉ Radio broadcast live from the be their Reporter for a Day which while presenters explained about event with a host of presenters was open to students who were the affects of climate change. In inviting students to participate in participants in the Exhibition. Once addition, RTÉ Weather broadcast their programme. Mooney brought the lucky student was selected the live bulletins from the RDS daily on their experts from Mooney Goes Wild RTÉ news2day reporters set about RTÉ One. down to the RDS to interact with training them to join their team. the students while Nikki Hayes The edited report was broadcast on and Rick O’Shea kept the tempo RTÉ Two on the closing day of the upbeat with requests being played competition. for friends and family across the country. Overall, RTÉ mobilised its resources across News, Television, Radio and Publishing resulting in comprehensive coverage of the event which we hope will, encourage students to get involved in the future. RTÉ’s activities presented an alternative application of technology and science to encourage young people to consider it as a career path. 14

RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Some 100 students took part New advances in broadcasting Held in Athlone annually, the RTÉ in specially designed drama allowed live streaming of the All Ireland Drama Festival is the fi nal workshops. The educational aspect event on RTÉ.ie, while a blog competition for competitors on the was further developed this year kept audiences up to date on the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland with a special performance of the events that took place outside the circuit. Nine fi nalists selected Leaving Cert 2008 play Philadelphia performance areas. from Festivals throughout Ireland Here I Come which was staged by compete in Athlone in a bid to win the All Ireland Champions 2007, RTÉ’s Supporting the Arts scheme the coveted All Ireland trophy. Silken Thomas Players. gave the Festival promotion time on RTÉ Radio thus facilitating RTÉ’s sponsorship of the event The Festival of World Cultures, greater audience awareness and extends from a very proud history Dún Laoghaire participation. The RTÉ Guide, also of producing plays on Radio and In August 2007 RTÉ continued gave the Festival one page in the Television. RTÉ Radio currently to be the Media Partner of the issue before the event to further produces and broadcasts some Festival of World Cultures, Dún increase audience awareness. 40 hours of new dramatic writing Laoghaire for the fourth successive In addition to the broadcasts annually. RTÉ Television is year. The Festival provides a and coverage in RTÉ’s Publishing committed to broadcasting at least unique opportunity to engage platforms, RTÉ also provided 156 hours of home produced Drama with a multicultural audience in appropriate merchandise to the in 2008. a way that is both relevant and volunteers. Bags, pens and the meaningful. all important rain wear were Set against this backdrop and distributed to the volunteer staff coupled with a commitment to 800 artists, 600 participants and 350 before the Festival commenced. nurture cultural and regional volunteers from over 80 countries RTÉ is continuing to support the diversity, RTÉ has partnered with descended on Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, Dún the Athlone Festival Committee for for a spectacular global carnival Laoghaire in 2008. the past fi ve years to develop the weekend, featuring 150 events and RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival. performances in a host of venues throughout the town. Highlights 2008 saw the development of an of the event were broadcast on outreach programme into primary RTÉ Television on the last night and post primary schools in the of the Festival. Filmed in front Athlone area. of a live audience on location in Dún Laoghaire, the programme gave viewers an opportunity to experience the line up of world class musicians that they might otherwise miss out on. Sile Seoige interviews Meeting the needs of our Audiences 15 Myra Maguire from Estuary Players, RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Winner 2008 on Pobal, RTÉ Television’s bi-lingual regional and community affairs programme broadcast on Sunday evenings on RTÉ One.

Outside Broadcasts in Gaeltacht Areas Ireland’s foremost Cultural Festival, Outside broadcasts are a critical Oireachtas na Gaeilge will be held part of RTÉ Radio’s commitment in Cork in October 2008 and RTÉ to serving the community. Whether Raidió na Gaeltachta will be present it be covering news and current and broadcast live from various affairs or at festivals, sporting venues as happened when the occasions or community events, Oireachtas was held in Westport, RTÉ Radio is constantly broadcasting Co. Mayo in 2007. from different locations around the country to bring a variety of Géill Slí on the service’s youth viewpoints and perspectives to our strand Anocht fm was broadcast live broader audience. from various Coláistí Samhraidh where young people from all over During 2007/2008 RTÉ Raidió the island gathered to perfect their na Gaeltachta’s roadcaster - Irish Language skills. An Rodaí An Rodaí - travelled all over Ireland was located at colleges in Gaeltacht and programmes were broadcast areas in Donegal, Galway and Kerry. from major political events, music festivals and Gaeltacht areas. Other centres to which An Rodaí travelled included Ennis, Longford, An Rodaí plays an important role Sligo, Limerick and a special in supporting events in rural and programme to commemorate Gaeltacht areas. Traditional music the 400th Anniversary of the Flight festivals from these areas are of the Earls was broadcast from a feature of the Rodaí schedule Rathmullen, Co. Donegal. during the summer. In 2007 programmes were broadcast live An Ródaí provides an important from the Willie Clancy Summer outlet for rural and Gaeltacht School, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, communities, supports the Fiddlers Week, Gleann Cholmcille, development of the Irish language Co. Donegal, World Fleadh, and gives listeners from outside Portlaoise, South Sligo Summer those areas an opportunity to better School, Tubbercurry, Joe Mooney understand the issues that affect Summer School, Drumshambo, Co. people who represent a key part of Leitrim and the All Ireland Fleadh in our national heritage and identity. Tullamore, Co. Offaly. 16

Case Study: Obesity is described by the World Tackling these issues of health, Operation Transformation Health Organisation as now being diet and exercise, in a way that was at a global epidemic level. In Europe engaging to a broad audience was today, six out of the seven most the challenge that RTÉ took on with important risks contributing to Operation Transformation. premature death (blood pressure, cholesterol, Body Mass Index, Timed to coincide with and inadequate fruit and vegetable support people’s New Year intake, physical inactivity and resolutions to get fi t and healthy, excessive alcohol consumption) Operation Transformation, an eight- relate to how we eat, drink and week, 360-degree media project exercise. A balanced diet and encompassing Publishing, regular physical activity are Radio and Television, began critical factors in the promotion in January 2008. and maintenance of good health. Moreover, it is those with lower The Gerry Ryan Show on RTÉ 2fm did incomes and education level that a nationwide search for six people are most affected. who had genuine and compelling reasons why they needed Operation Obesity is a major public health Transformation to help them lose problem in Ireland. Approximately weight and get fi t. 39% of Irish adults are overweight and 18% are obese. Annually, The six participants chosen; two approximately 2,000 premature men and four women from six deaths are attributed to obesity, different parts of the country, at an estimated cost to the State, each agreed to try to change their in economic terms, of €4bn. lifestyles and adhere to dietary and Childhood obesity has become the exercise plans in their efforts to most prevalent childhood disease lose weight and get fi tter. in Europe. It is estimated that over 300,000 children on the island Once selected the programme’s of Ireland are overweight and obese team of three experts, dietician, Dr. and this is projected to increase Eva Orsmond, fi tness instructor, annually by 10,000 (The Report Karl Henry and psychologist, Dr. of the National Taskforce on Ian Galvin, developed a customised Obesity, 2005). eight-week programme for each of the six participants. Each day a Maintaining normal weight detailed shopping list, diet plan and is challenging nowadays. The exercise routine was mapped out by environment people live in make the experts and communicated to it easy to put on weight. There is the six participants using a special an abundance of energy-rich food website developed for the project. that is often poor in nutrients and decreasing needs and opportunities for physical activity both in and outside of work. The food portion sizes grow year by year, even though people actually need less and less energy due to the shift towards more sedentary lifestyles. Meeting the needs of our Audiences 17

Operation Transformation, was an eight- week, 360-degree media project encompassing RTÉ Publishing, Radio and Television.

Every Thursday on RTÉ One Overall Operation Transformation The website remains available on Operation Transformation tracked was an example of what RTÉ RTÉ.ie and as Gerry Ryan said at the progress of the participants does best when it pools together the end of the fi nal TV programme: and included a weekly weigh-in its resources. Across Radio, It’s not too late to become part of and a diary camera. Each week the Television and Publishing, Operation Transformation; you can programme team of experts set Operation Transformation captured still log on now and begin at day one. new targets for the participants the imagination of hundreds of to achieve. Listeners to the daily thousands of people around the Participant Quotes: Gerry Ryan Show on RTÉ 2fm were country. Over the course of the For me this is not just about losing encouraged to follow the progress eight weeks an average of 513,000 weight but being healthier, I would of the six participants on RTÉ. viewers (Source: AGB Nielsen Media also love to inspire more people ie. Diet sheets and recipes, with Research) tuned in each week to RTÉ just like me to stop thinking about streamed video footage of the food One to see how the participants changing their lives and instead get being prepared, were posted daily were progressing. The Radio show out there and do it. Nothing would along with the daily exercise plans provided daily updates and the make me happier than for someone also featuring streamed video website provided a constant link to come up to me at the end of this footage on how to do them. between the Television and Radio show and to say they followed and productions. Critically the website supported me and it changed their Operation Transformation culminated allowed RTÉ make considerable lives too. in a grand catwalk fi nale when all additional material available to Donal Looney, Truck Driver, six participants presented their our audience and encourage active Tipperary. (The Guardian, Nenagh) healthier selves to their families, participation rather than just friends and the viewing and passive viewing and listening. I am tired of making do, of hiding listening public. most of me and making the best of While it is impossible to accurately the rest. Like all women, I want to gauge the impact of the project feel beautiful and sexy - someone in terms of helping people to lose who no longer scans the room to see weight and achieve better health, if she’s the biggest person in it. the web usage statistics do show Ollie Hannah-Murtagh, Teacher, encouraging signs. Over the period Monaghan. the website received an average of 30,000 hits a day, provided 115,000 video streams and recorded a total of 1.76 million page views. Perhaps most revealing was that over 50,000 people visited the exercise tips webpage (Source: RTÉ Publishing). 18 3 Our Staff

3.1 Staff Welfare Initiatives • Training - career and/or personal • A development programme called 2007/2008 development is an on-going Working Well was made available to focus for RTÉ Human Resources. non-managerial staff throughout RTÉ provides staff with During 2007 approximately RTÉ. The aim of the programme a comprehensive set of benefi ts 3,000 days of staff training were is to assist staff generally with and is committed to promoting provided - with approximately personal and career planning for and protecting their welfare; this 50% concentrating on employee the future and to help them deal is refl ected in the wide range of development effectively with specifi c issues polices and programmes which • RTÉ piloted a leadership such as work/life balance and have been put in place. RTÉ Human development programme with a organisational change Resources is mainly responsible small number of senior managers • Wellness initiatives were for the development and from across the organisation. made available to all e.g. fl u administration of these policies The programme was designed to vaccinations, on-site Check Up and programmes. assist managers in recognising, health screening service and developing and improving their kidney screening by the Irish Developments in the past year leadership skills. Based on Kidney Association. include: the results of the pilot a more comprehensive leadership 3.2 Staff Opinion Survey 2007 • Dignity and Respect in the Workplace development programme is - presentations to staff set in being considered by senior RTÉ Following on from the Staff Opinion the context of RTÉ Policy on management Survey 2005 and subsequent Prevention of Harassment, Sexual • RTÉ’s Policy on Prevention and actions, RTÉ conducted its second Harassment and Bullying were Management of Workplace Stress Staff Opinion Survey in October 2007. completed. As part of a process was launched and published of monitoring its effectiveness on the intranet; presentations, The key objectives of the Staff the policy is now being reviewed explaining the policy in detail, Opinion Survey 2007 were to: and recommendations for were made to managers across • Gather the opinion and views of improvement will be made in 2008 the organisation employees working in RTÉ • Partnership – a review of the • New RTÉ employees attend an • Measure progress against 2005 RTÉ Partnership Process was Induction Programme addressed measurements to determine the completed and recommendations by, among others, the Director- impact of actions taken made for its improvement. General. As part of induction new • Provide information for the Three Independent Business staff are presented with a copy development of follow-up action Divisions (IBDs) had, by Q2 2008, of RTÉ’s Vision, Mission and Values plans, focusing on the further implemented the revised process Framework and are encouraged to enhancement of employee engage with it actively engagement levels. Our Staff 19

56% of employees completed the 3.3 Valuing Staff Nationwide gained survey, which was available online almost six share points, and also on hard copy – it was 57% The RTÉ Authority is charged with year-on-year, from in 2005. overseeing the activities of the March 2006 to March RTÉ Group. In order to connect 2007. Presenters Mary Kennedy and Michael Job Satisfaction remains the highest with staff and in the interest of Ryan helped achieve scoring theme for RTÉ, with 92% of sharing information, the Chairman a share increase across respondents (same as for 2005) stating publishes a quarterly bulletin on all age and social class that they are proud to work for RTÉ. the RTÉ intranet. The bulletins groups and across update staff on the work of the all regions of the Positive responses were also Authority and highlight the country. The consistent received to statements on successes and challenges facing commitment and welcoming and being prepared the organisation from a governing performance of for change, teamwork within perspective. Nationwide was departments and understanding of recognised by the RTÉ RTÉ’s goals and objectives. The current RTÉ Authority re- Authority at a lunch held in honour of the instated the practice of hosting programme team. Performance culture was the lowest formal lunches where specifi c scoring themes in the survey, staff groupings / representatives particularly the area of helping staff are invited in recognition of their improve their performance; this is contribution to the organisation. an area that will feature strongly in Recent groups hosted have future action planning. included RTÉ Sport, RTÉ Publishing, RTÉ Communications and the An Executive Summary of the programme team from Nationwide. results was issued on RTÉ’s intranet Marconi in Q4 2007 and RTÉ continues to recognise long presentations took place in each service of staff and hosts an annual IBD during Q1 2008. event where the Director-General presents a presentation piece As a result of the 2007 survey to those who have reached the updated action plans have been milestone of 25 years service to developed within each IBD using Public Service Broadcasting. feedback and suggestions – primarily gathered through focus groups and team meetings. Once IBD plans have been reviewed, an overall RTÉ Staff Action Plan will be put in place to address organisation-wide staff issues. 20

The new RTÉ Créche will be open to children of staff of RTÉ from November 2008

3.4 RTÉ’s Vision, Mission and The tickets offered were directly History Values – a strategic framework related to RTÉ’s sponsorship or RTÉ was one of the fi rst employers broadcast involvement in the event in Ireland to provide on site RTÉ’s strategic framework is and tickets for Bruce Springsteen, childcare facilities. With the brought to life among staff via Dolly Parton, Boyzone, Celine assistance and co-operation of various initiatives which run Dion, Westlife, Neil Diamond and the RTÉ Trade Union Group and throughout the year. Radiohead were offered over the with premises provided by RTÉ, course of the competition. the RTÉ Childcare Co-operative Staff Vision Awards Committee opened the RTÉ As detailed in the CR report 2007, In all over 500 staff entered which Créche in January 1987. The RTÉ the awards recognise individuals is a measure of the success of Childcare Co-operative Committee and teams who embrace RTÉ’s the initiative. operates independently of RTÉ Vision, Mission and Values and deliver and employs its own staff. The exemplary work that is ‘above and 3.5 New RTÉ Crèche members of the RTÉ Childcare beyond’ the call of duty. Employees Co-operative Committee are are invited, via email and the RTÉ is committed to the notion employees of RTÉ and are parents/ intranet, to nominate colleagues that working parents need créche guardians of children who attend who meet the criteria, with a prize facilities that are operated to the RTÉ Créche. Originally, the RTÉ this year of €2008 tax free for the a high standard, are reliable Childcare Co-operative Committee winning nominee(s). The awards and accessible. In August 2007, employed a staff of three and cared continue to attract high-calibre following a review of current for approximately 10 children. nominations and momentum is facilities and negotiations with By 2007, twelve fulltime staff cared growing with nominations at their staff representatives, RTÉ issued for 45 children aged between three highest since launch during an invitation to tender seeking months and fi ve years. Q4 2005. proposals for a suitable service provider to be licensed to occupy Competition a new purpose built crèche facility A competition in which staff had to on the RTÉ campus. RTÉ decided to answer a question directly related create a more modern service for to RTÉ’s Vision, Mission and Values, the children of staff, with greater gave them a chance of winning capacity and taking into account a pair of tickets to some of the new developments in childcare summer’s hottest concerts. The legislation and regulation. competition was run in Q3 2008. Our Staff 21

The Process New Facility In partnership with the RTÉ Trade Careful consideration was given Union Group, representatives from to the design and development of RTÉ’s HR, Finance and Property the new building. Amendments departments engaged a childcare introduced in February 2008 to the consultant to ensure the best Childcare (pre school) Regulations possible service would be provided. 2006, issued by the Department Extensive research was carried out of Health and Children, were on current and developing pre- incorporated into the design school childcare regulations and ensuring that the RTÉ Créche is of best practice models. It was also the highest standard. critical that the successful tenderer would take over the operations of The agreed location of the new the RTÉ Childcare Co-operative crèche on the RTÉ campus meant Committee and would comply the loss of a number of car parking with its obligations under the spaces. To compensate for this, a European Communities Protection of new car parking area was laid prior Employees on Transfer of Undertakings to work commencing on the site to Regulations 2003. Based on the ensure minimal disruption to staff research and with the support and visitors to RTÉ. of the childcare consultant, the partnership panel proceeded to In keeping with RTÉ’s efforts to search for a service provider and minimise its carbon footprint build a new facility. the Créche will be a high energy effi cient building. The heating and It was decided by the RTÉ Executive lighting systems are extremely Board that work on the new effi cient as well as having been building would commence once the insulated to the highest standard. service provider was awarded the The concrete used in the build is contract and the agreement signed. eco concrete resulting in 62% less Following a successful bid by Wee carbon emissions that normal Care Créche Facilities, a contract was concrete. The fl oor is made using signed and the fi rst sod was turned recycled concrete materials on the site of the new RTÉ Créche resulting in a further reduction in in April 2008. our carbon footprint. The waste material removed from the site was processed and re-used back on the site reducing waste to landfi ll. RTÉ also retained the services of a tree consultant as a number of trees had to be removed from the site. Six trees were replanted within the RTÉ campus.

The build of the new facility is scheduled for completion in November 2008. RTÉ will maintain the building as well as providing lighting, heating and twice daily cleaning services. Fulltime staff will be able to cater for 72 children aged between three months and fi ve years in a building that is of the highest standard. 22

Case Study: Often the individual contributions Michael Littleton’s creativity, The Michael Littleton of staff to RTÉ’s reputation intelligence and wit were to the fore Memorial Lectures and performance can be either in the development of daytime radio, overlooked or overstated, but it is which was introduced in 1968. Until not an exaggeration to describe then, RTÉ closed down after the news Michael Littleton, who died at 9 a.m., returned for an hour-and- in August 2002, as one of the a-half at lunchtime and went off air most infl uential and innovative again until 5 p.m. broadcasters in the history of Irish radio. Much that is taken for Current affairs coverage was expanded granted in daily broadcasting is and a regular mid-morning slot was attributable to him and he is often created for Here and Now, which was referred to as the ‘father of the presented by Liam Nolan and later by daytime schedule’. Rodney Rice. John Bowman took over the same slot with Day by Day and Pat A native of Tulla, Co. Clare, during Kenny is the current incumbent. his 40 years service with RTÉ Radio, Michael held numerous Women Today, initially presented positions including Assistant Head by Marian Finucane and then by of Features, Magazines and Current Doireann Ní Bhríain, broke new ground, Affairs Department; Head of providing a platform for women and Features and Current Affairs; Acting refl ecting their changing role in Irish Controller of Programmes; and society. Elements of the programme Managing Editor Features and Arts survive today in Liveline. Today at Five, Programming. For many years he Saturday View and the Sunday Show produced the Thomas Davis Lecture are other programmes that originated series. He also saw a role for radio in with the support and encouragement of supporting literary endeavour and Michael Littleton. initiated the Francis McManus Short Story Awards. Michael’s obituary in In 2003 a little over a year after the Irish Times in August 2002 read Michael’s death, RTÉ Radio created as follows: the annual Michael Littleton Memorial Lecture as a dynamic and enduring tribute to Michael’s contribution to RTÉ and Irish radio. Our Staff 23

Dr Ngozi Okonjo- in the RTÉ Radio Iweala, Nigeria’s Centre in December former Finance 2007, chaired by Minister and Foreign Marian Finucane. Minister addressed A Transforming Africa; Opportunities and Challenges at the Michael Littleton Memorial Lecture

The inaugural speaker was Mary In 2004 the lecture was delivered In September 2005 RTÉ published Robinson, former President of by the Most Reverend Diarmuid RTÉ Vision, Mission and Values – a Ireland and UN High Commissioner Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and strategic framework and within this for Human Rights, who delivered a was entitled The Christian in the framework RTÉ’s Vision is described lecture entitled One Human Family: Public Square. This was followed as to grow the trust of the people of Ethical Globalization in Our Times. a year later by Professor David Ireland as it informs, inspires, refl ects She introduced her lecture with a McConnell who spoke on the and enriches their lives. Without the tribute: importance of science in a lecture commitment, creativity and sense entitled The greatest success story of of responsibility, collectively and Although a very modest and our time - making sense of science in individually, of staff this vision will unassuming man to meet, Michael the 21st century. In 2006 Professor never be realised. had a wide-ranging impact on the Brendan Drumm delivered a development of RTÉ Radio 1. He lecture focusing on the challenges Long before this vision was could also be very persuasive. And of building a world class health written down Michael Littleton I was glad to have been persuaded service and in 2007 the former acted everyday in a way that to give one of the Thomas Davis Finance and Foreign Minister of fulfi lled its aims, he took his Lectures he organised as it gave Nigeria and current Vice President responsibilities seriously, he led me an insight into how committed of the World Bank, Ngozi Okonjo- by doing. As his obituary in the Michael was to equality, social justice Iweala delivered a powerful and Irish Times describes: and human rights. insightful lecture entitled A Transforming Africa; Opportunities He was totally committed to public Each year since, RTÉ Radio has and Challenges. service broadcasting and fi ercely invited a speaker to address loyal to RTÉ and his fellow-workers. an issue of national and or The themes addressed by the Always receptive to new ideas, he was international concern to deliver a speakers and the success of similarly ready to nurture young talent. public lecture that is recorded in the series are a fi tting tribute to Documentary programme-makers front of a live, interactive audience Michael Littleton and also refl ect in particular found him supportive. for broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1. The an organisation that is willing to He was a mentor to many of today’s calibre of speakers has refl ected provide a forum for issues of global leading broadcasters. the contribution that Michael and national concern. himself made to public debate. The broadcasts always receive very positive feedback from the audience both at the lecture and the wider radio audience. 24 4 Our Business interactions

4.1 Independent Producers Independent commissions now The day long event is divided form a signifi cant part of the home- into six sessions, each dealing Each year, as well as in-house produced schedule and RTÉ has with a specifi c genre (Factual, productions, RTÉ commissions developed a number of initiatives Entertainment, Daytime and independent producers to make aimed at improving the creative Lifestyle, Multiculture and programmes across a wide and commercial relationship Education, Young Peoples and range of programme genres, between RTÉ and the independent Regional), followed by an open from Sport to Drama, from sector and at raising the overall questions and answers session. Entertainment to Documentaries, standards of programme making. Each commissioning editor reviews from Factual to Young Peoples. the year passed and outlines what In 2007 RTÉ Television’s RTÉ Independent Productions - types of programming they are Independent Production Unit (IPU) Open Days seeking and what time slots commissioned a total of over 1,000 To support the increased volume and fi nancial resources will be hours of programming. of independent commissions, RTÉ available in the coming year for Television’s IPU began to hold the various genres. Independent productions have commissioning Open Days in 2005. become a core ingredient in RTÉ’s Scheduled to coincide with the RTÉ believes that setting out Television schedules. From daytime annual commissioning round, the its commissioning strategy and to evening peak-time, during aim is to give RTÉ commissioning engaging with independent the week and at weekends, they editors an opportunity to outline programme makers in advance of provide popular and challenging their intentions for the coming the annual commissioning round programmes on both RTÉ One year across different genres to offers independent producers and RTÉ Two. independent producers. increased opportunity for success in the round and ultimately leads Independent commissioning RTÉ has a determined focus on to better programming. activity is fi nancially and ensuring high quality programming, contractually managed through the the development of existing talent RTÉ has received very positive IPU. Under the Broadcasting Authority and the identifi cation of new feedback from the independent (Amendment) Act 1993, RTÉ has a talent in the independent sector, sector regarding the Open statutory obligation to spend a pre- both in front of and behind the Days and in June 2008, nearly determined minimum amount each camera. The IPU Open Day offers 200 independent producers year on independent productions. the sector the opportunity for representing 128 production In recent years however, RTÉ has direct creative engagement with companies participated in exceeded this required statutory commissioning staff and allows the event. spend on independently produced RTÉ the opportunity to set out programmes. its programming ambitions and scheduling strategy to the sector. 25

eCommissioning Introduced fi rst in the summer of 21st Century Child, For many years the process by 2007 for the 2008 commissioning produced by the which RTÉ administered the round, the new system handled Independent Production commissioning of independent 1,200 proposals from 210 Company stop.watch productions was performed production companies and has for RTÉ, features individuals from a wide manually. Each year this was received a very positive response range of geographical, characterised by a very intense from the independent production multicultural and social period of activity at the start of community and from RTÉ backgrounds who share each September where up to Television editorial staff. one thing in common: a 1,400 paper submissions were new baby. received, recorded, distributed and The system has enabled a dramatic acknowledged. The submissions reduction in the time taken to were then grouped, assessed process submissions. The activities independently by teams of editorial around the closing date for staff over two assessment cycles, proposals that took ten working results collated, signed off and days in 2006 were completed in just inputted to a computer system. six minutes with the new system All-in-all this activity lasted with no human intervention. approximately 12 weeks. The time taken for assessment activities was also greatly reduced During 2007 RTÉ Television updated with a time saving of at least two its commissioning process by weeks for the initial assessment introducing an electronic system of proposals. through which programme proposals and ideas are submitted. From an RTÉ Television The new web based system is perspective these effi ciencies designed to support commissioning release administrative and activities from the initial call for editorial capacity which can be programme ideas through to the directed towards the selection evaluation of proposals according and development of Television to the detailed evaluation criteria programme ideas and productions. and guidelines already in place. Critically the system greatly improves RTÉ’s ability to handle increasing volumes of programme proposals and ideas based on existing staff resources. 26

From the independent producers’ Trust is central to Public 4.3 RTÉ Supporting the Arts perspective, they now receive Service Broadcasting. If RTÉ is faster responses from RTÉ to to prosper it can only be based Ireland enjoys a unique artistic their programme proposals. on the confi dence of the Irish and cultural identity and, as the The system is also far more people that they can trust what country’s Public Service Broadcaster transparent as they can now they see, hear and read on RTÉ RTÉ, has had a longstanding track online the progress of their services. Of central concern to relationship with the arts individual programme proposals RTÉ (and its viewers/listeners/ community throughout the island within the commissioning readers) is maintaining vigilance of Ireland. process. Security is also a key in RTÉ’s editorial standards feature of the system, making across all RTÉ output. Each year A critical part of RTÉ’s Mission is sure independent producers’ different issues can emerge to Nurture and refl ect the cultural ideas remain confi dential to the which require RTÉ to review the and regional diversity of all the person submitting the programme way it makes programmes and people of Ireland. This includes proposal or idea and the relevant advises programme makers. a determination to support the RTÉ commissioning team. Critical to Corporate Responsibility arts and artistic expression in a is a willingness to accept and variety of ways. RTÉ is the largest Overall the new system is helping learn from mistakes and where cultural organisation and employer to improve the relationship necessary to make changes and in Ireland – maintaining fi ve between RTÉ and the independent adjustments. Therefore the RTÉ performing groups and delivering television production sector Programme Standards and Guidelines, arts content on Radio, Television in a way that is benefi cial to as with other policies, procedures and Online. both. Designed to reduce the and guidelines, always remain administrative burden on both under review, so as to ensure that While there is still a vibrant sides but not the creative dialogue RTÉ can, when appropriate, amend voluntary arts community in between independent producers to provide clarity to programme Ireland the majority of arts and commissioning teams, the makers and maintain the organisations now operate as system should help free up time confi dence and trust of audiences. small businesses. RTÉ works with and focus the attention of all on them both as a Corporate Sponsor producing better programmes for During 2007/2008, in response to through the RTÉ Supporting the Arts the viewer. issues raised with regard to the scheme and through individual making and commissioning of artistic partnerships. 4.2 RTÉ Programme Standards certain types of programmes and and Guidelines other areas, a number of sections The operation of the RTÉ Supporting of the RTÉ Programme Standards and the Arts scheme is beyond any The RTÉ Programme Standards and Guidelines have been strengthened statutory obligation and is a Guidelines sets out the editorial and amended. Over the period controlled level of Radio and policies of RTÉ, its legal status and and based on programming Television airtime assigned obligations, responsibilities and its experiences, revisions were made to promote artistic endeavor aspirations to achieve the highest to the following sections; Use of throughout the island of Ireland. standards and commitments. The Reconstructions in News, Current It puts into practice the objective Guidelines comprise a mixture Affairs and Factual Programming, of RTÉ to support the arts and the of mandatory requirements and Anonymity and Criminal artistic community and facilitate guidance to all programme makers, Activity and Broadcasting. New creative expression. both those working in RTÉ and sections entitled, Contributors those working on programmes to Programmes and Honesty in RTÉ allocates airtime to initiatives commissioned by RTÉ. They also, Programming were also added. selected in a fair and transparent crucially, inform the public of the fashion (see RTÉ.ie/about/supporting_ editorial and ethical principles The RTÉ Programme Standards and arts.html), in appropriate forms which underpin all of RTÉ’s output. Guidelines can be accessed online at: open to it and within legislative http://www.RTÉ.ie/about/policies. and resource constraints. In html doing so it supports the art forms recognised under legislation, by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and / or The Arts Council. Our Business interactions 27

The Festival of World Thank you so much! We are thrilled. Cultures Dún Laoghaire Opera Ireland, Winter Season 2007, is a recipient of RTÉ Gaiety Theatre, Dublin Supporting the Arts advertising. RTÉ is Many thanks, RTÉ’s support means a proud of its association great deal to us. with the Festival and is continuing its Ballet Ireland, Die Fledermaus support in 2008. Nationwide Tour 2007

I just want to thank RTÉ for all the support you have given Louth Contemporary Music Society for the Terry Riley event. The advertisements have been great. … The feedback was very positive and personally I thought it was great for the people of Drogheda. Eamonn Quinn, Louth Contemporary Music Society, May 2007, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Thank you very much for the 30 sec advertisement you sponsored for our last performance of the season … I am sure it boosted our ticket sales. Irish National Youth Ballet Co., Dance the Classics, May 2007

You very kindly gave us a complimentary advertisement on RTÉ RTÉ Supporting the Arts is a routine This ongoing commitment benefi ts Radio coming up to Writers’ Week. and valuable non-programming the arts community in two This provided us with great exposure contribution to the arts community. signifi cant ways; (a) advertising and was invaluable to us. Support can be 100% free-of-charge on national Radio and Television Writers’ Week, Listowel, Co. Kerry promotional airtime, matching raises awareness and promotes support (where the business attendance and (b) association I wish to thank RTÉ most sincerely contributes 50% of the airtime cost) between the arts organisation and for your recent support of our Éigse or some other reduced payment. RTÉ is an implied endorsement of Michael Hartnett. The radio publicity the event. For a small business this was wonderful and worthwhile. I The scope of the sponsorship has is invaluable support of a benefi t- think it lent status to the festival and grown over the past number of in-kind nature and gives a presence I know all of us on the committee years in terms of the number of on a national platform which would were heartened when we heard the venues and organisations offered not otherwise be available. advertisement on the radio. support. There is little doubt Joan MacKernan, Country Arts but that it will continue to grow RTÉ’s support of the individual Offi cer, Limerick County Council. constrained only by available organisations facilitates both airtime. The support can, in an major and minor creative projects The support you extended helped us unexpected way, be a symbiotic that enhance the reputation to reach our audience. The placement relationship in that promotion on of the artistic community. It is of one of our commercials during a the national airwaves brings talent an excellent example of good major championship hurling match to the attention of many including Corporate Responsibility; it featuring Waterford was a major those charged with RTÉ Radio and recognises many arts forms, with boost and good for local morale. Television productions. participants from all over of the Spraoi, Waterford country.

A fl avour of the importance can be garnered from the following comments: 28 5 Government and Regulators

5.1 RTÉ International – The economic boom through In April 2007 the Broadcasting new audiences, new services the 1990s and into the early Amendment Act, 2007 came into part of the new century brought law. Under the Act RTÉ is obliged to Ireland occupies a remarkable unprecedented levels of prosperity establish and maintain “a television place in world emigration terms and helped transform Ireland for broadcasting service and a sound in that, in recent centuries, very the fi rst time in its history into a broadcasting service, which services large numbers of its people country of net positive migration. shall be made available, in so far as have emigrated relative to its However despite the increasing the Authority considers reasonably overall population. Between 1841 levels of prosperity and opportunity practicable, to Irish communities and 1961 the population of the of recent times, some 20,000 people outside the island of Ireland”. island of Ireland declined from continue to emigrate every year. approximately 8.2 million to 4.2 This is a substantial fi gure which In response to these legislative million. In the last fi fty years, there could grow depending on the changes, RTÉ, in addition to its were two periods of substantial economy’s rate of growth. It is also current services, is planning a emigration, in the 1950s and estimated that of the 3 million or series of new initiatives aimed the 1980s, which coincided with so Irish citizens abroad, almost 1.2 at better meeting the needs of diffi cult economic and social million were born in Ireland, the the Irish Diaspora in the UK and conditions in Ireland. equivalent of approximately 30% beyond. These services will come of the present population. under the title RTÉ International but RTÉ will do more. For many years RTÉ has provided Radio services to the UK and parts of Western Europe on LW and across the world on different satellite systems. In recent years the internet has allowed RTÉ provide a much more comprehensive Radio service and some video services to the Irish abroad. Up-to-date News and Current Affairs, some home produced TV programming and all of RTÉ’s Radio services are now available to a global audience, live and on-demand, through RTÉ.ie. Government and Regulators 29

RTÉ has had a presence in London since 1969 moving, in 2005, to a new premises under current RTÉ London Editor Brian O’Connell; this refl ects the importance of the UK market place to RTÉ.

Web TV for the World 5.2 RTÉ Access Services • RTÉ provides a daily signed news New compression formats and programme on RTÉ One and 20 increased network speeds mean Access Rules, published by the programmes for and produced by that it is now possible for RTÉ to Broadcasting Commission of the deaf community throughout offer high quality video services Ireland (BCI) under the provisions the year which include elements over the internet. Beginning with of the Broadcasting Act, 2001 for children the launch of a new 24-hour online and as amended by Section 53 • In February 2008 RTÉ news service to coincide with of the Disability Act 2005, sets commissioned a 30 second the coverage of the Lisbon Treaty conditions and targets for the Irish promotional package which Referendum, RTÉ.ie will bring a broadcasting industry to meet in was produced by the RTÉ range of live and on-demand video relation to the provision of services Promotional Department. This services to users around the world. to the hearing and visually impaired. promo was designed to highlight The new video services will be a our subtitling service as well as signifi cant improvement in terms Despite diffi culties achieving the clearly outline how to access of picture and sound quality and in prescribed targets, RTÉ remains it using RTÉ Aertel page 888. the range of programming available committed to providing accessible This promotion was scheduled and will be accessible to any user broadcasting. The following details on both RTÉ One and RTÉ Two with a broadband connection and some of the steps, over and above during peak viewing hours standard computer and monitor legislative requirements, which RTÉ and continues to be broadcast or an Internet Protocol Television has taken in the last 12 months. throughout the schedules. (IPTV) enabled set-top box and • RTÉ Aertel together with Deafhear. television. Hearing Impaired ie compiled and distributed • In collaboration with the Irish a complimentary information RTÉ believes that this new service Deaf Society (IDS) RTÉ Television leafl et to all members. The leafl et will be of real interest to Irish offered training in the Irish Sign highlighted the service RTÉ people living overseas – and to Language (ISL) presentation of provides for the deaf and hard of those with a serious interest in RTÉ Young People’s Programming. hearing across a number of our Ireland. It is an exciting time Currently RTÉ subtitles ten platforms including Aertel, RTÉ.ie for RTÉ and it represents a new home produced and 14 acquired and Television challenge for us to develop programmes broadcast by RTÉ • A simple subtitle access audiences around the world. It will Young People’s Programmes. RTÉ information leafl et is available be an important part in helping is encouraging the development to all users on request also from to develop a truly global Irish of ISL in Ireland for broadcasting Television Subtitling Division community. and has offered this training with a view to the future use of Irish based signers when a platform becomes available 30

RTÉ Aertel and Deafhear.ie produced an information leafl et about how to access subtitled programmes on RTÉ Television.

• RTÉ actively seeks consultation Visually Impaired The accessibility trial, conducted with stakeholders in the area of RTÉ continues to work with the by RTÉ in association with DCENR, provision of access services and National Council for the Blind in the Broadcasting Commission held the Access Services Conference Ireland (NCBI) in preparing RTÉ of Ireland (BCI), TG4, TV3, the 2008 in June which reported home-produced programmes with National Disability Authority on progress to date and sought Audio Description (AD). This is in (NDA) and National Council for constructive feedback for future order to build up an Irish AD skill in the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), was developments. It was attended preparation for the introduction of a technical and audio test of an by representatives of the IDS, ISL, a closed service. AD service. The service is designed IHHA and ITFC to enhance the enjoyment of • RTÉ delivered a presentation • The NCBI has now prepared 13 television for people who are blind to the Subtitling and Teletext episodes of series seven of RTÉ’s or vision impaired. This is just European Broadcasting (EBU) programme About The House one of three services - signage group gathered in Lucerne, with AD for broadcast on RTÉ and subtitling being the other Switzerland in May 2008. One off-peak. The majority of two - which are currently being Following the presentation of these programmes commenced investigated in order to ensure the RTÉ Subtitling Guidelines broadcast in June 2008 on Sunday optimal accessibility to future to Programme Makers a mornings digital television services. In recommendation was made • In May 2008, RTÉ Television began accordance with Government and that the guidelines be adopted an accessibility trial as part of the EU policy, DTT is set to replace the by all EBU broadcasters and the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) analogue service by 2012. document will be published on pilot underway in Dublin and the offi cial EBU Subtitling and coastal areas of the Northeast The evaluation was designed Teletext website in Autumn 2008 since August 2006, run by the to answer two questions; 1) can • Mooney, RTÉ Radio 1’s popular Department of Communications, visually impaired viewers hear programme was invited by Energy and Natural Resources the audio descriptions with Uachtaráin na hÉireann, Mary (DCENR) with technical support suffi cient clarity and 2) is the McAleese, to Áras an Uachtaráin from RTÉNL and BT. description at a good volume in 2008 for the Disability - Access in relation to the background & Attitudes Forum. RTÉ Radio programme audio 1 provided a transcript of the interview on RTÉ.ie to facilitate the deaf and heard of hearing community. Government and Regulators 31

The NCBI and the Centre for All participants reported that Inclusive Technology chose six they could hear the descriptions participants for the test who clearly enough with 50% lived within the DTT range. The reporting ‘extremely clear’ audio. participants were recruited with the following profi le: The fi ndings of the accessibility trial will facilitate a fi ne-tuning - Regular television viewers of the technical aspects of - Blind, to the extent that delivering AD. Expertise in they would rely on audio providing AD is also currently description to full being planned for by RTÉ, so that understand and appreciate it will be possible to resource the broadcast TV programmes service within Ireland upon the such as dramas rollout of DTT. - Suffi ciently good hearing to understand normal TV In June 2008, RTÉ facilitated programme content a demonstration by the Centre without diffi culty for Inclusive Technology of new hardware and software for DTT Tests were carried out in real TV set top boxes. Staff from the viewing environments, people’s National Institute of Blind People own homes, using their own in the UK demonstrated the television sets. Each television capabilities of accessible digital TV. received a signal via a DTT set The session was attended by top box supplied by RTÉ. organisations in the disability, ageing and social sectors. Test participants watched a single half hour episode of popular New Zealand based drama Shortland Street with AD broadcast on RTÉ One as part of the normal schedule. An NCBI test facilitator was present during the test at each location to ensure that the equipment was working correctly and to collect data and feedback.

Data was collected from a combination of observation and questionnaires. The facilitator explained the purpose and procedure of the test and asked some pre-test questions to confi rm that the participant met the eligibility criteria. During the programme the facilitator made a note of any relevant observations or comments from viewers. After the broadcast, the facilitator asked the post-test questions to collect feedback data.

32 6 The Environment

RTÉ is committed to environmental The project was successfully Various IBD initiatives yielded protection and sustainability, completed by the end of 2007 and further smaller savings. For to improving its environmental has been working satisfactorily example staff groups volunteered performance and to minimising through the latter stages of the to change their heating and cooling any adverse impacts as a result heating season in what is a controls by one degree in line of it broadcasting activities. The very harsh environment. Whilst with the national Power of One following indicate a number monitoring of the system energy promotion. of environmental activities use is ongoing, early fi gures undertaken during 2007/2008. indicate that versus a similar RTÉ also linked air-conditioning period in 2007, the 2008 energy systems to the studio usage and 6.1 Reduction in CO2 usage fi gures are down 15% which planning model to ensure services and Energy Usage will equate to an approximate cost are only running when absolutely saving of €7,000 for the year. Even required by the programmes. In summer 2007 RTÉ commenced a better for RTÉ and RTÉ Raidió na project in RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Gaeltachta, is the fact the woodchip The culmination of these measures Casla, Co Galway, to replace the boiler will qualify as a legitimate has led to a net reduction in existing electrical storage heating carbon credit to the Organisation Natural Gas usage of 7% to Q2 with a bio fuel woodchip boiler to going forward. 2008. As reported in CR 2007, RTÉ reduce both energy costs and our switched to a renewable energy carbon footprint. Following an energy audit of the provider for the main site electricity Donnybrook campus in early 2006 in early 2007 which has resulted a number of action items were in a carbon saving of 14.5 million decided to both reduce overall tonnes or the equivalent of taking energy usage and change the 3,463 cars off the road for a year. way we use our energy. Some early progress was made with the following initiatives:

• installation of high effi ciency burners to the existing main heating boilers • tighter controls on air conditioning time clocks • the installation of low energy lamps to our lighting systems. The Environment 33

RTÉ’s Recycling Rate Figures

October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 Recycled (Tonnes) 45.03 39.19 30.76 55.33 47.72 44.04 Disposal (Tonnes) 20.01 17.89 13.95 23.12 16.97 15.45 Recycling Rate 69% 69% 69% 71% 74% 74%

In addition, RTÉ Radio in March 6.2 Waste Management In October 2007 the overall recycling 2008, closed its Medium Wave rate for RTÉ waste was 69%. While (MW) service as the technology RTÉ undertook to eliminate the use this is signifi cant, RTÉ took steps offered poor value for money, of polystyrene from the to improve it further. By February was environmentally unsound Donnybrook campus by late 2007. 2008, information on recycling and out of date, with poor quality RTÉ approached the campus was posted around the campus, reception and audio. The closure canteen services provider who near recycling bins, in an effort did not affect RTÉ Radio 1’s existing agreed to source an alternative to inform and encourage staff to FM or LW 252 national services. material which was more use the service. RTÉ also modifi ed Given the MW transmitters were environmentally friendly but the recycling bins to highlight the installed in 1975 and were by without compromising on safety for fact that Dry Mixed Recyclables modern standards very ineffi cient the user. With effect from February (DMR) could include clean plastic the resulting energy saving of the 2008 polystyrene materials were packaging, plastic cutlery, clean switch-off is considerable. RTÉ has removed from canteen operations. Tetra Pak and similar items rather reduced its energy consumption All staff were asked, to support the than just plastic bottles. By March by approximately 600kW, which initiative by not using polystyrene 2008 the recycling rate for RTÉ to put in context, translates to the materials in their hospitality waste was 74%. equivalent to running 300 two bar arrangements on the campus. heaters twenty-four hours a day While the volume of polystyrene seven days a week. is quite low in recycling terms, a saving on carbon emissions is expected because of the signifi cant time it takes to break down polystyrene. RTÉ is currently liaising with its waste contractor with regard to carbon credits linked to its recycling performance. 34 The Environment 35

6.3 Raising Awareness RTÉ Young People’s Programmes (YPPs) department is in production In addition to the Organisation’s 50 weeks of the year generating efforts to improve its own content for pre-school children up environmental performance, to young people aged 21 years old. RTÉ supports and promotes environmental awareness through In Spring 2008, RTÉ YPPs focused its output. In addition to the long their efforts on Think Green, an standing programmes such as Eco environment awareness theme Eye, RTÉ Cork produced a new series which ran from in March. All the My Family aren’t Wasters for RTÉ regular RTÉ YPPs programmes One where two families with high explored what we can do to save carbon footprints undertook a series our planet. of challenges to reduce the amount of energy and resources they waste. ICE and KAZOO broadcast upbeat They were advised and monitored fun reports, while The Once A Week by two energy experts who installed Show and Sattitude had audiences state of the art sensors to see how who were interested in learning electricity, gas and oil are used and and talking about the environment. wasted. A supporting micro-site on RTÉ.ie allowed audience members TTV premiered fi ve RTÉ YPPs In addition to the broadcasts on calculate their own carbon footprint specially-commissioned short- RTÉ Two, RTÉ YPPs commissioned and get eco tips. fi lms set in Berlin, the re-cycling a micros-site RTÉ.ie/thinkgreen to capital of Europe and featured host all the Think Green activities, RTÉ Cork developed its eco friendly interviews with industry leaders short fi lms and video clips from the van idea for Corrigan Knows Food. such as Sustainable Energy Ireland. programmes. The site is maintained The six part series followed WE tv brought recycling to the RTÉ beyond the life of the programmes celebrity chef Richard Corrigan campus with a live wormery and and is a resource for young people as he travels across Ireland and pink pig composter. and educators. Europe in a specially designed eco friendly van. The Volvo multi- Den Tots got involved with Soky and The site has an energy calculator fuel van runs on either unleaded Emma showing young people how and lots of inventive suggestions as petrol or E85 ethanol which has to recycle household items such as to how you can reduce, reuse and lower carbon monoxide and jam jars into a musical instrument. recycle. It has lots of interesting carbon dioxide emissions than facts and fi gures about greenhouse conventional gas or diesel vehicles. gases, energy effi ciency and trees. Ethanol is water soluble, non-toxic Plus you can while away the day and biodegradable. It’s the second playing The Green Bunny Game! time an eco friendly vehicle has been used for the series, with last year’s car running on sunfl ower oil. 36

Case Study: According to the most recent If everyone left their car behind for One Small Step Census in 2006 of the 529,753 just one trip each week, there would people who commuted to work be 200,000 fewer car trips every from Dublin county or city each day day in the Greater Dublin Area, less 288,115 (54%) travelled by car. This traffi c and less pollution. We are compares with the 72,840 (13%) urging all car users to give this their who walked, the 21,145 (4%) who serious consideration in their own cycled and the 120,029 (22%) who and everyone else’s interests. travelled on any sort of train or bus (public or private). These fi gures do The campaign, on outdoor posters, not include those who commute online and broadcast media, into the city from Kildare, Wicklow, outlined the key benefi ts to Meath, Louth and beyond. commuters of choosing alternatives to the car. Aside from the obvious In an effort to reduce Dublin environmental benefi ts of reducing commuters’ dependency on cars in the number of cars on the road September 2007, the then Minster each day, the campaign explained for Transport and the Marine, Noel that by choosing alternatives Dempsey T.D., launched a high commuters could; improve their profi le public information campaign health, save money, reduce stress, entitled One Small Step with The reduce traffi c congestion, save time Dublin Transport Offi ce (DTO). and reduce vehicle wear and tear. The aim of the campaign was to encourage those who commute From the outset a number of by car in the Greater Dublin Area large public and private sector to choose alternative modes of organisations supported the aims transport for at least some of their of this initiative. RTÉ participated in journeys and to incorporate public the initiative which was fi rst run as transport, walking or cycling into a pilot programme supported by the their travel habits. advertising campaign which ran during September/October 2007. Speaking at the offi cial launch of the campaign DTO Chief Executive, Within RTÉ the One Small Step John Henry said: initiative was launched with an introduction by broadcaster Brian We’re asking drivers to reduce car Dobson, a keen cyclist, followed by usage where and whenever possible an overview, of RTÉ’s involvement in and to use alternative transport, the campaign. A presentation and as appropriate. Where there are talk was then given by John Henry, alternatives available, whether that’s Director/CEO Dublin Transport public transport, or taking a fi fteen Offi ce. or twenty minute walk or cycle, then people should consider these options for at least some trips every week. As well as the health benefi ts and the reduction in their carbon footprint, car users who make this small change will ultimately make a big difference. The Environment 37

As a way of marking RTÉ’s • Let all employees know about the commitment to the project and different travel options open to encouraging staff to take up the them challenge, a ladies and a gents • Identify possible improvements bicycle were raffl ed for those to these services who attended the launch. Prior to • Facilitate the use of alternative the launch, RTÉ commenced an modes to the car internal awareness campaign using • Promote the use of alternatives, both Marconi and posters supplied like walking, cycling and public by the DTO across the organisation. transport In addition in the week leading • Support staff in changing up to the launch, a questionnaire their behaviour, for example to determine how RTÉ employees by facilitating or incentivising travelled to work was carried out carsharing, providing cycle and the results will be used by RTÉ parking, showers and lockers for future planning. • Provide information on the scale and broader impacts of change. A central component of the One Small Step campaign is for the DTO In early 2008 RTÉ began working to assist participating organisations with the DTO to develop a tailored with the development of workplace workplace travel plan for the travel plans. Such plans typically Donnybrook site. consist of a package of measures to encourage and support more sustainable travel patterns among staff, clients and other visitors. A typical travel plan for staff commuting can: 38 7 Looking Forward

7.1 Intercultural Strategy In mid October 2007 an As with RTÉ’s Intercultural Policy, intercultural co-ordinating group the focus of activity among most The 2007 CR report made the was established to help realise the PSBs is on the same three elements, following commitment to overarching policy commitment (output, staff development/training progressing the interculturalism and develop an action plan. and recruitment), albeit employing policy adopted by RTÉ Authority The cross IBD group was tasked a variety of different strategies. For and Executive Board in the Spring with considering the manner example, some broadcasters insist of 2007: in which RTÉ represents ethnic on recruitment targets while others and cultural minorities living in have developed internship or By the end of 2008, RTÉ will publish Ireland in its output, look at what fellowship schemes in order to fast a comprehensive action plan on other broadcasters have done in track the training of a more diverse interculturalism. The plan will build this area and make a number of pool of available talent. Some have on the commitment of management recommendations on how RTÉ developed a range of targeted and and programme makers to date and might practically address the issue. different language services while mainstream cultural diversity across others have tried to infuse their three broad areas; output, staff training The group began by considering mainstream services with more and recruitment. It will set down clear the broad issue of interculturalism, diversity. goals and targets for each of these who and what do we mean when areas and be fully integrated into the we talk about intercultural diversity In short, just as different country’s ongoing strategic planning of RTÉ’s and how RTÉ currently represents experiences of immigration are different business divisions. cultural and ethnic diversity across different, there is no obvious its services. template of best practice to follow in developing a comprehensive Members researched and analysed intercultural strategy. the approaches taken by other Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) in Europe and beyond. This revealed that while there is now considerable consensus among PSBs that interculturalism is a critical challenge for society and broadcasters, there is little consensus as to the best way to approach it. 39

There was a consensus among Based on its research and Richness of Change the Group that while programme deliberations, the Group made both is a series of 12 one- makers were, for the most part, group-wide recommendations minute fi lms which well disposed to having greater and recommendations specifi c to document the diversity diversity on-air and on-screen, individual output areas. of origin, voice and perspective amongst there was a real diffi culty, given the Ireland’s immigrant relatively recent nature of Ireland’s The fi nal report of the cross IBD population. One immigration, in fi nding new voices intercultural group was presented featured Johannesburg- from minority ethnic and cultural to the Director-General in May 2008 born Floyd Jackson groups who have the necessary and its recommendations were who works with language skills and confi dence discussed at length at a Corporate Dublin Bus. The series to contribute on a broad range of Editorial Board meeting in July 2008. was made in partnership issues. The Group agreed that a with the Immigrant similar challenge existed in relation Key actions are included as Council of Ireland, to recruitment. 2008/2009 objectives (see page 44). The Forum on Migration and Communication (FOMOCS) and The Group also agreed that journalist, Colin Murphy. initiatives in the area of interculturalism will require changes in attitude and a willingness to embrace and value diversity. Progress will not be made without leadership and commitment at all levels of the organisation, from senior management to individual programme makers and staff members. 7.2 RTÉ Belfast – All too often in the past RTÉ’s This investment also refl ects New stories to tell personnel on screen and in radio RTÉ’s support for the availability news bulletins from Northern across the island of Ireland of all In July 2008, RTÉ opened new offi ces Ireland were reporting scenes the television broadcast services and studios in Belfast. RTÉ has of mayhem and its immediate licensed in both Northern Ireland moved from Fanum House in Great and sadly durable consequences. and the Republic of Ireland. While Victoria Street, its base since the In Northern Ireland we now there has been a spill over of 1960s, to the newly-built Centre have a peace process that will analogue services on both sides Point Building on Ormeau Avenue. hopefully, with time, lead to of the border for many years, RTÉ peaceful coexistence, respect and believes that the advent of the DTT The new offi ces were offi cially much needed investment and platform - Freeview - in Britain and opened by Northern Ireland’s development. Northern Ireland and DTT soon First Minister, Rt Hon Mr Peter D. to be launched in the Republic Robinson MP MLA, Deputy First RTÉ’s investment in new high of Ireland provides a unique Minister, Mr Martin Mc Guinness quality facilities and in the opportunity for broadcasters to MP, MLA and An Taoiseach, Mr Brian continued presence of this level contribute to the bedding down Cowen T.D.. On the occasion of the of staffi ng in Belfast is a vote of of peace. Central to the political opening Mary Finan, Chairman of confi dence in the opportunities progress that has been so hard the RTÉ Authority, said that their that now exist to begin recording a won over the past few years has presence was testimony to the new history. been what was referred to back in radically-changed environment 1984 in the New Ireland Forum, as in which RTÉ’s Northern Ireland ‘the reciprocal acceptance of identity operations are now working. and interests’. RTÉ believes that television broadcasting can support the normalisation of Northern Irish and indeed Irish society, if the full expression of all traditions and identities on the island is available free-to-air in both jurisdictions. Looking Forward 41

Pictured at the opening of the new RTÉ Belfast Offi ce An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowan, the First Minister, Rt Hon Mr Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness. 42

Historically, RTÉ pioneered several Speaking at the opening of the Courtesy of important innovations in Northern new offi ces different people Kelly Mcerlean Ireland. The fi rst colour camera acknowledged the commitment outside Donnybrook was tested that RTÉ was making to the new there. RTÉ’s fi rst trials of electronic peaceful Northern Ireland. news gathering systems, using video rather than fi lm, were An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen T.D., carried out in Northern Ireland. said; Some of the most important footage of “the troubles” was …the story of the peace process in gathered by RTÉ personnel and it Northern Ireland is one that has was at times of important news been faithfully recorded by many developments in the North that RTÉ dedicated journalists here in RTÉ and broke new ground with live radio the opening of new RTÉ offi ces in programmes and live presentation Belfast at this time is a very positive on programmes like the Six One and statement of the new and exciting Nine o’clock News, Seven Days and phase that is really just beginning. Prime Time. Northern Ireland’s First Minister, The new offi ce will continue Mr Peter D. Robinson MP, MLA said; this tradition of innovation and includes a newsroom, a range of I congratulate RTÉ on its investment state-of-the-art digital technology, and expansion as this new city centre television and radio studios and base is opened. The new offi ces camera positions which offer at the Centrepoint building which spectacular views of Belfast have been leased by RTÉ represent and surrounding areas. The a further sign that Northern Ireland development provides RTÉ with the has grown in confi dence and is capacity to maintain and develop building a new sustainable economy. its news and programme output from its Belfast base well into the Deputy First Minister, Mr Martin future and provides a challenge to McGuinness MLA said; programme makers to best use the new facilities. I know that myself and my colleagues in the Executive will spare no effort to ensure that a new story can be told for this part of our island. We want a story in which we shape our own destiny, a story in which our people grow prosperous in a society at peace with itself. However it is up to us, the First Minister and I and all our Executive Colleagues to make this story real. To write the last lines. When that happens I believe that RTÉ will be there to record the process for all to see.

The future of Northern Ireland is today full of promise, much is yet to be achieved and RTÉ will be there to play its part and hopefully tell a new story. Looking Forward 43 44

7.3 2008/2009 Objectives

1. Meeting the needs of our 3. Our Business Interactions 5. The Environment Audiences • Beginning with CR 2008, each • A pilot car sharing website will • By Q1 2009, RTÉ will have successive report will record any be launched during Q4 2008 to agreed a cost-effective fi ve- changes or amendments made assist staff in arranging and year contract with the Athlone to the RTÉ Programme Standards planning car sharing to and Festival Committee for the RTÉ and Guidelines during the course from the RTÉ site in Donnybrook. All Ireland Drama Festival of the preceding year This will be hosted on the • RTÉ will continue to develop • Following a comprehensive staff intranet. To support and cross media projects, such as review of the systems and encourage participation in the Operation Transformation and processes within RTÉ Television scheme, a limited number of car will create at least one new and Independent Production Unit spaces will be allocated to the signifi cant cross media project during 2008, an action plan scheme on a trial basis. during 2009 outlining the implementation • New bicycle shelters around the • By Q4 2008 RTÉ will be involved of new effi ciencies in relation complex adjacent to the Radio in a project aimed at senior to timelines of commissioning Centre, TV Centre and the Stage second-level students which will decisions will be completed by 7 area are to be constructed by show an application of science Q2 2009. the end of Q4 2008 or technology, integrating an • To support RTÉ’s public • Working with the DTO as a aspect of RTÉ’s work with the procurement activities from partner in the One Small Step curriculum. commencement of the campaign RTÉ will have a • Senior management in procurement activity through comprehensive workplace travel Television, Radio and News to selection of the successful plan in place by Q2 2009 & Current Affairs will agree supplier, Group IT is developing • RTÉ will continue to monitor specifi c, realistic and measurable a new electronic public and take necessary steps to targets with managers, editors procurement system. The incrementally reduce our waste and programme makers for development of this system to landfi ll and report same by Q4 ethnic and multicultural encountered unavoidable delays 2009 representation in all or parts of during 2008 and will be available • RTÉ will continue to monitor their respective output areas by for use in Q1, 2009 and take necessary steps to end Q4 2008. incrementally improve our 4. Government and Regulators energy effi ciency and report 2. Staff • By Q2 2009 RTÉ.ie will bring a same by Q4 2009. • The new RTÉ Créche will open in range of live and on-demand • In support of the International Q4 2008 video services to users around Year of Planet Earth, RTÉ will • To enhance staff cooperation the world with the launch of a launch a cross IBD initiative in and improve internal new online video player Q4 2008 to help raise awareness communications RTÉ would • RTÉ will use RTÉ Audience Opinion amongst primary and post- like to signifi cantly upgrade its to keep the Department of primary students of climate current intranet. To begin this Energy Communications and change. process RTÉ will complete a Natural Resources (DCENR) review of the existing intranet appraised in an appropriate way system and develop a clear of the benefi t of RTÉ as a Public roadmap for its redevelopment Service Broadcaster. by Q4 2008 • RTÉ is to provide intercultural awareness training for all HR staff, for all new staff (as part of induction training) and identify where intercultural training can be integrated into existing IBD training programmes by Q4 2009.