RTÉ HAS RELEASED a statement clarifying that rap trio Kneecap had agreed not to wear pro-Palestine badges during their Late Late Show performance last night through their management, but then proceeded to wear them anyway live on air.
After the show aired last night, viewers noted that Kneecap’s Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap wore pro-Palestine clothing and emblems, after RTÉ had asked the musicians of Irish Women in Harmony to avoid doing so the previous week.
In a statement released to The Journal, an RTÉ spokesperson said that Kneecap’s managers had stated that the performers intended to wear badges showing support for Palestine, but that the show’s producers had told them that in this case, the performance would have to be cancelled.
They said that the band agreed not to wear the badges for their live performance.
“However, during the live performance and the subsequent interview, the band chose not to comply with that agreement. They put badges on and revealed that one band member was wearing a Palestinian football jersey,” the spokesperson further said.
They emphasised that the RTÉ journalism and content guidelines applied to the appearance by Kneecap were the same as those applied to the Irish Women in Harmony appearance.
The spokesperson said that in live TV, there is always a risk of “unplanned programming”.
They said that the team of editorial professionals that work on the Late Late Show proceeded to act “in full compliance” with RTÉ’s guidelines, and “adapted” filming and took action, whereby Kielty “provided context and balance” to the discussion with Kneecap.
What happened on air
On last night’s Late Late Show, Kneecap performed their new single ‘Better Way to Live’ and then chatted to host Patrick Kielty.
Kneecap’s Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap wore a watermelon badge – it’s become a pro-Palestine accessory because its colours match that of the Palestine flag.
However, during the chat with Kielty, DJ Próvaí removed his jacket to reveal a Palestine sports jersey.
Kielty noted the “costume change” and added: “I’m obliged to say this – that our thoughts are with everybody in that conflict.
“Some horrific stuff is happening there. I’m also obliged to say that in the politics, there’s another side and some people might not agree with what you’ve done.”
Kneecap’s Móglaí Bap then said, to applause from the audience, that the group wants to “use our platform to highlight the genocide that’s happening in Palestine at the moment”.
He said that over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed “by American weapons” in the conflict so far, the majority of whom are women and children.
He added: “I think we have to use this platform and this opportunity to appeal to Irish people to attend rallies and protests and to support the BDS movement, and to show solidarity with Palestine and hopefully one day Palestine will be free.”
On last week’s show The Irish Women in Harmony group performed a tribute to Sinead O’Connor on last week’s programme.
However, Irish Artists for Palestine said that, prior to the performance, a group member was asked to change out of a t-shirt which featured the word Gaza and a love heart, while others were asked to remove badges expressing support for Palestinians.
RTÉ said last week that contributors are asked not to wear clothing related to “one particular point of view” as part of its impartiality guidelines.
It said that the conflict in Gaza was not the “subject of discussion or debate” during the performance.
What a gorgeous tribute to Sinéad #latelate pic.twitter.com/SwwrJhvsMi
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) February 16, 2024
A spokeswoman said in a statement: “All RTÉ content follows clear guidelines in regard to impartiality.
“RTÉ aims to facilitate open debate on issues of public interest and concern.
“As such we ask that participants do not wear badges, symbols or emblems related to one particular point of view in the absence of a forum for a representation of all views.
“The Women in Harmony group performed a tribute to Sinead O’Connor. Gaza and the conflict was not the subject of discussion or debate on this occasion.”
- With reporting from Eimer McAuley.
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