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A BROADCASTER WHO has been presenting LGBT show, The Cosmo, for the RTÉ Pulse digital station for the last six years has announced he will not continue to produce it claiming he has been coming under pressure from management to provide balance ahead of the upcoming referendum on same-sex marriage.
Scott De Buitléir, who has been presenting the show as a volunteer, unpaid, announced his departure from the airwaves in a blog post today, in which he said it became “close to impossible” to host an LGBT radio show while keeping in line with RTÉ’s requirement not to show bias towards either side on the issue.
In conversations with management, he told TheJournal.ie this afternoon, De Buitléir said it was suggested that he “stay silent” on the issue up until the Wednesday before the referendum, when he would host a “carefully planned debate”.
“I felt like I was being silenced, even if it was with the best of intentions”.
Despite trying it for a short while, I eventually couldn’t bear denying that this plan meant missing out on reporting the various events, advocates and news of the Yes campaign – the campaign fighting for the rights of those who The Cosmo was aimed at.
For the 26-year-old, on this issue, “the personal and the professional are intertwined” and he said he felt his show would become “a bit of a farce” if he were to continue hosting it without mentioning the referendum or having guests on from the LGBT groups he had already been interviewing about the issue for years.
There are certain characters that are for the No side that I feel are getting much more air time than they’re due. They might be from small organisations that aren’t representing the majority of people they claim to represent and they’re getting far too much air time and I didn’t want to be adding to it. I couldn’t bring myself to allow someone on an LGBT radio show saying why we shouldn’t be equal.
“I couldn’t bring myself to adding even more illogical hate speech to the airwaves,” he said in his blog post.
De Buitléir made his decision today after a conversation with management in which, he claims, he was reprimanded for failing to clear an interview he did with Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordáin with someone in RTÉ before putting it online. He said the interview was about Ó Ríordáin’s experience canvassing for the Yes side and the reactions he was getting and they also discussed the general election.
The broadcaster said he was told the interview was slanted too much in the Yes campaign’s direction and it has since been taken down.
In response to a query from TheJournal.ie, RTÉ did not address De Buitléir’s claims about demands for balance in the LGBT show or that his interview with Ó Ríordáin had been removed because it had not been cleared with management.
Instead, in a statement, Head of RTÉ 2fm Dan Healy said:
“RTÉ confirms that Scott De Buitléir has decided to leave RTÉ Pulse after six years. The Cosmo, presented by Scott De Buitléir, has been part of RTÉ Pulse’s schedule since the station launched in 2008. Scott has played some great dance music over the years. We wish him every success in the future.”
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New Year is a brand new slate, but I’ll be moving into this year with a commitment to take everything as it comes. There will be huge ups and downs, like every year. Last year was tough, so steady as she goes. Maybe will try not sweat the small stuff, be more grateful, appreciate things for what they are. Not comparing myself to others, no drastic changes but stay curious, open minded and love my family more and more. Happy New Year y’all x
@Barry Dempsey: Don’t sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff!
@Rafa Condron: the three Fs, will be in gyms all around the country. Fat f€&kers fortnight.
@fergusob: that’s not a very nice thing to say at all
@fergusob: The whole point of gyms is that people who want to be fitter and healthier have access to equipment and trainers to make it happen. Having access to facilities to increase your lifespan is important. The thing I hate about gyms is the self righteous who claim ownership of the equipment and the areas. That’s why I don’t go any more, and built my own gym in my back garden – so I don’t have to put up with dopes like you.
A lot of people try and make a resolution, and then life gets in the way,and it goes out the window in the first week or 2.
Why are we marketed with health and fitness for New Year’s resolutions. It seems to be the main resolution for most, lose some weight, get fitter etc. I’d say the gyms love this time of year with people signing up then dropping off within a couple of weeks.
@Andrew Giles: i always find the aldi magazine gas around this time of the year. For 6 weeks up to xmas its all chocolate and cakes and party foods and then in the first week after xmas its all weights and training gear and operation transformation!
Here we go yawn yawn yawn. How to lose the pounds and tighten your belts January. Hows you’re love life Feburary, get fit for the summer March and on and on like the stations of the cross.
I made a resolution not to do polls anymore .
Yes, I have resolved to exercise, after a year off, and have already been out with the dog and am about to do a short stretching routine followed by a few sets of rubber band work. The mind has also been run through its paces, I am committed, it will make a difference, I am resolute!
I made a resolution not to make any resolutions.
@Paul Shepherd: Will you stick to it?
Ending my homelessness. I’m going to try to buy a house.
Yup. Play golf at least 3 times a week.
To ensure i never go to the NYE event in Dublin.
My resolution is to be resolute
I intend to visit 5 countries I have never been to this year. I have a way better chance of doing this than trying to get fitter, thinner or lose my wrinkles.
Mine is to stop making up crap comments and posting them on here.
@Madra: When are you going to start? Lol
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