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LISTENERS TO RTÉ Gold told RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes that she must be “absolutely mad” to axe the digital radio service and called on her to review the decision.
Records released by RTÉ’s Freedom Of Information unit show that around 30 upset listeners of RTÉ Gold wrote to Forbes and the station to express their unhappiness over the decision last November to end RTÉ Gold as part of a series of cost cutting measures.
The station’s presenters include Rick O’Shea and Will Leahy – RTÉ Gold employed three people at the time of last November’s announcement.
The records show that one Co Cork listener said that they were “absolutely shocked and aghast” at the move to shutdown the service without any consultation.
The listener stated that as a daily commuter between Cork and Dublin, “RTÉ Gold in particular makes the commute more manageable and there are thousands like me”.
The listener stated that RTÉ Gold is played in numerous businesses and pointed out that “it is a niche station, but a growing one as the format is proving to be a winner especially since the presenters started putting a personality to the station and developing the brand”.
The listener stated that the station gives listeners a break from the depressive Brexit agenda and other problems affecting the country.
The listener stated that “some creative thinking and budgeting could rescue the Gold platform”.
Another listener told Forbes:
We were devastated to learn that you are planning to close RTÉ Gold. There must be something that we can do = crowdfunding, petitioning – you name it, we will be in. RTÉ Gold needs to be saved.
The listener stated that RTÉ Gold “is like comfort food for the soul, it makes everything better”.
Another “devastated” listener told Forbes “you have a jewel here and to close it for minuscule cost savings seems against everything that Public Service Broadcasting stands for”.
Another upset listener emailed Forbes to state that “I’m absolutely outraged, disgusted and words can’t begin to describe what Gold meant to me for the past ten years”.
The “Very Angry RTÉ Gold Listener’ stated that RTÉ Gold “was the light of my life and now the light has gone out of my life altogether”.
Another listener emailed RTÉ to state that the RTÉ Gold “was the only reason I paid the licence fee. What a waste”.
Another listener stated “I was shocked and disappointed to hear of the planned closure of RTÉ Gold”.
The listener stated: “I attend oncology services in one of the major Dublin’s hospitals and RTÉ Gold is played around the hospital in waiting rooms.
I can tell you that the people sitting listening to the station really appreciate the calmness and easygoing atmosphere it can create, even in a stressful space.
A Co Westmeath listener described the decision to close RTÉ Gold and Lyric FM as an “absolute disgrace”.
The listener stated: “Management should remember the people who listen to these services – people of my age who always pay their TV licence without question or complaint.
“How are we treated for this loyalty? With copious quantities of bullshit programming such as ‘Pulling with my Parents’, Francis Brennan’s various adventures and all kinds of so-called reality nonsense not to mention repeats to beat the band. First Dates! Drop it please. I could go on and on.”
The listener stated: “Cop on and make a proper effort to resolve your financial difficulties with(out) dumping the family jewels.”
A spokesman for RTÉ stated today: “As outlined in RTÉ’s revised strategy published in November, RTÉ’s digital radio services will close this year. No date has been set for closure of these services.”
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Nice to see a young intelligent person with vision entering government for a change.
She’s FF, a long, lucrative career at the expense of the taxpayer awaits as she tows the party line.
I’ve seen Lisa talk to the public before. She is composed, intelligent, and knows her stuff. Easy on the eye is a nice addition as well
Throughout the election there were a number of candidates who used repealing the 8th as part of their manifesto knowing full well that their parties probably won’t have a referendum. Now they’re elected it’s the whole ‘it’s not me, it’s my party’. They knew exactly what they were doing all along.
Sorry for butting in on this article, for some strange reason the Journal won’t let me post the link, you need to go to Facebook and read Lynn Boylan’s post in relation to Water Charges…. Direct from Brussels, we have been lied to by FG,FF,and Lab, but its not to late we have until the 22 March….
If she’s intelligent why didn’t she join a party that shares her views. FF is a big club for opportunists, where achieving power is more important than campaigning with those who share your principles. There are almost no policies where everybody in the party agrees.
James – Her family probably are FF, or maybe FF have helped her, her family, or area. Who knows. Doesnt matter really
James, no person in any party agrees with everything that may be part of the parties policy.
FF vote on various pieces of policy at Ard Feis, some agree, some oppose.
It’s called democracy.
Again it’d like her to explain the test for rape!
Peadar, you’re forgiven..
i have seen the article it clearly shows we have been lied to again and again and again by FF FG LABOUR
The restricted abortion she is discussing is an Irish solution to a real problem. It’s abortion in very restricted circumstances…. a perfect fudge for spineless politicians who can say they have legislated on one hand but made it so restrictive that in reality it is unworkable. The truth is many hundreds of women make the journey to England each year. Provide the choice and let grown women make up their own minds. It’s not as if these abortions won’t happen anyway.
@Deborah, when assault victims aren’t believed because they don’t look bruised enough, it’s going to be impossible to prove rape in a timely fashion… which is probably what the anti choice, anti abortion supporters want.
**ALERT**
Fine Gael and Labour’s lies have been blown out of the water.
They lied that our exemption was gone. It’s not but it will be if you do not wake up now…
March 22nd is the deadline to notify the EU commission that Ireland will not be charging for water by meter.
It is imperative that pressure is applied now or it will be too late..
You MUST contact your local TDs and inform them of this deadline and that you demand the Water Basin Plan to be withdrawn so that it may be amended to reflect the outcome of the election.
Failure to do so will guarantee that you will end up paying those water bills…
Well actually her family are all FG. I’ll have you know
I wonder why she didn’t make that clear before the election..
She signed the NWI pledge which included supporting repealing the 8th
Well then she is supporting the wrong political party ff is the political end of the church and also she said on vb that she will be standing against appealing the 8th she speaks from both sides of her mouth proper ff
Lisa should have joined a more modern party then those church lovers ff they are stuck in the past that lot
Church lovers perhaps, but mostly just know where their core vote is – Werther’s Original Munching, craw-thumpers.
Looking forward to your articles on those TDs that are pro-life.
Wonder why she’s in FF?
I am no fan of FF but lisa is right. Just think all you Men abs Women out there if you were raped by an individual who maybe mad as well as someone who has no respect for women or your wife Daughter Sister whoever is carrying a child who will not survive in the womb. Or the worst your Father or brother or any member of your Family uses one of you siblings as a he would his wife, put yourselves in their place and ask yourselves could i have a child after going through that experience. I am anti abortion but if any of these things
happened to me i would Abort.
And remember we are not in the minds of these Women.
Von..bang on,it’s disgusting to think that these people play with women’s/families lives,all in the name of what.
Von, how are we women supposed to prove we’ve been raped in order to have the abortion? No rape trial – IF the case even goes to trial wou.d happen in less than 24 weeks.
You don’t need a trial to prove rape
I’m pro choice in certain circumstances. This is about equality, choice and self autonomy for our second class citizens. But it’s a moral issue, and morals transend humanity, so hopefully people will leave their religion out of their decision making process on this one. This new TD at least is thinking progressively.
Who are our second-class citizens?
You knooooow
The vaginally abled.
Daisy..feminist I guess.
Ding ding ding!
What gave me away?
You forgot the dong. .
Never!
Ever never, populist or feminist….I bet you don’t even know. .
Her tune will change quicker than a thin whistle on cocaine. Once the snout is in.
You can see the party genes flowing through her.
Pure Fianna Fail DNA.
Already a safe pair of hands.
A long career in politics awaits her.
Could she be the beginning of a new FF dynasty?
As a country we need to have a conversation or discussion on the issue. I’m sick to death of politicians coming out with this shite. The time for talking is over, we need action. Let the people decide.
We need to have a conversation or discussion. The time for talking is over. Brilliant.
just small debates will do, feels like aeons at this stage, like how many rapist’ss unwanted children roaming the streets at the moment? makes me sick!
I’ve seen enough unwanted neglected children in my life time, and I’m in my twenties. it really is the greatest show on earth…
So you want to find these rapists’ children and kill them?
HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEWS FROM LYN BOYLAN IN BRUSSELS RE WATER CHARGES SHE HAS BLOWN THE LIES THAT FF FG AND LAB HAVE BEEN RAMMING DOWN OUR THROATS OUT OF THE WATER PARDON THE PUN
Wtf did I not just read ?
Found this Rose
http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/38981
What has this got to do with the above story or repealing the 8th amendment?
With respect to the newly elected TD, this is NOT news, Fianna Fáil have repeatedly stated their non position on #RepealThe8th. Today we see Praveen Halipanaavar recieve a “settlement ” , what has changed? How many more women since Savitas death have been forced to seek terminations out of this state. IMO the decision must lie with us the people, not on the whimsy of politicans. Referendum NOW
Oh well, if you’re uncomfortable with it Lisa, we’ll just continue to ignore the hardship of thousands of Irish women who must leave the state to access a safe, necessary and common place medical procedure. Forget about the discomfort of pregnancy or the strains of forced parenthood. We wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable about other peoples’ lives now would we.
“Whether you be in favour of repealing it, not in favour of repealing it, [and] if you do want to repeal it, what kind of services do you want afterwards? They’re questions that, as a country, we need to have a conversation about and answer those questions.”
I’ll leave that to the scientists thanks.
Disgusting filthy religions. GTFO of my ovaries.
oh yeah red thumpers, who needs science when your got the spiritual beings in the funky frocks!!
FYI there is no god(s).
*you’ve got
on a lighter note, I found this mock website, http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0203/childpurchase.html
religion has illogical demands. separate the superstitious clap trap from the state!
You got a story to tell….
a tale or two. are you all eyes Peter?
Blah blah blah I’ll say what you want to hear Fianna Fáil
Was pretty sure I saw her assert this by an election clip some time ago I could well be wrong, either way fair play to her. Whichever way you feel about the subject collective views on important issues are stupid.
When asked in the debate from Castlebar before the election wether or not she was in favour she wouldn’t comment. Amazing the difference a week can make our our strong minded politicians frame of thought.
It’s almost as if she wants to give each TD a choice. You could possibly say she was….pro choice?
Seriously though, this is the bog standard pro choice line in its purest form. Do what you think is right and allow others to do what they think is right.
Lisa, you are a young newly elected TD. Did your elected ask you to propose the repeal of the 8th Amendment? I doubt it! Did FF set you up as a Guinea Pig?
Murder is always murder! Killing an innocent baby is always murder? Be sensible . Don’t follow the Leader! Don’t allow them to set you up?
Well articulated Lisa about 8th ammendment …watch this space Lisa Chambers has hit the ground running. She is beautiful,intelligent, very well thought out and well spoken. She is measured in her responses and pragmatic. Could we be looking at first Female Leader of FF.I think so.
SHe can spout all she likes, BUT at the end of the day she will be told to follow party line ,and what way to vote such is the curse of party politics in Ireland ,vote the way your told or else you are out ,
have your say