This Week In Radio 22/01/2022

Lots happens in the radio industry each week so here’s a summary of the week we just enjoyed.

Here’s what happened

This week was full of stories from RTÉ so let’s start there shall we?

RTE Sign

RTE News

RTÉ News appointed two new coraspondants this week, and we finally found out who’s going to be the new Washington correspondent.

  • Sean Whelan is going to be covering all things America as the new Washington corespondent, he’s replacing Brian O’Donovan. Sean has been the London correspondent for the past three years so has experience covering big stories such as Brexit. As we reported previously, Brian is now going to be covering the world of work and technology.
  • The less reported appointment this week was the news that Joe Mag Raollaigh is going to be the new agriculture and consumer Affairs corespondent.

Very best of luck to them both from us at Radio Land.

Read the Sean Whelan press release here

Read the Joe Mag Raollaigh press release here

A threatening Anonymous email was sent to RTÉ presenter Katie Hannon before her show last week. The email, which has been condemned by both the National Union of Journalists and the National Women’s Council, threatened Katie with personal consequences if she tried to solicit negative comments about men. There were other intimidating comments in the email too.

This really shows the hassle journalists need to put up with in order to do there job well. It’s really hard to know what to say about stories like this, all we can really say is well done to Katie for calling this behaviour out. Keep up the great work.

Read the story from The Journal here

The final big RTÉ story for this week is that the National Symphony Orchestra is moving from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall. It’s a shame that RTE’s finance’s have almost forced this outcome, but I suppose in many ways they’re going to a more suitable home.

“Today is a day of mixed emotions for us in RTÉ. On the one hand we are delighted that the NSO and Choirs will now be on a firm financial footing within the NCH allowing them to plan with confidence into the future, but on the other, we say goodbye today not just to wonderful musicians and support staff, but to colleagues and friends, many of whom have a long history in RTÉ. I have no doubt they will continue in their mission to make great orchestral music and entertain audiences everywhere, and we will of course continue to have a strong broadcasting relationship with them in their new role at the heart of Ireland’s National Concert Hall. We wish them all the very best and thank them for the music.”

Director-General of RTÉ, Dee Forbes

The move takes effect on Monday so very best of luck to everyone moving, and thank you for your services to broadcasting and music over the years

Read the story here

There are more RTÉ stories in Quick Bits, but this is Radio Land, not RTÉ Land. Let’s have a look at some other stories.

In Other News

The Broadcasting Authority Of Ireland announced there new CEO this week. Celene Craig will take up the role with immediate effect after 30 years working in media regulation. It will be interesting to see how she steers the organisation as it becomes the media commission over the next few months. Very best of luck to Celene from us at Radio Land.

Read the story here

Finally this week, Radio Nova are doing a PCR test to see how there getting on. Yes, it’s a weird world. Listeners can fill in a survey (called the radio Nova PCR Test) to provide feedback to the station.Those who do the PCR Test will be in with a chance to win tickets to see Noel Gallagher at St Anne’s Park this summer. If surveys aren’t your thing, you can also do the PCR Test by leaving a voicemail.

Do the Radio Nova PCR test here

Quick Bits

Brenda Dennehy is leaving Red FM to join the Mail Online, very best of luck to her On the big move to London

RTE were in front of the public accounts Committee this week, they reiterated the issues with the licence fee system

A community radio station in Mayo are holding a special outside broadcast in April to support the Clime for Charlie campaign

And that’s the summary for this week. Come back to radio land next week for more radio news📻 and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for extra stories.