A NEW PROGRAMME that aims to “de-mystify the media” will begin broadcasting on RTÉ radio next month.

The State broadcaster has announced that journalist and former Newstalk presenter Brenda Power will host a new eight-part programme, The Media Show, starting on Saturday, 14 April at 7.30pm on RTÉ Radio 1.

The programme will aim to go behind the big media stories in broadcast, print and online and focus on “how our daily media diet is shaped”.

RTÉ says that the new programme will look in-detail at the major players in Irish media and give a behind-the-scenes look into media institutions in this country.

Produced by Athena Media, the programme will feature interviews, discussion, features, and radio essays covering issues in digital journalism, TV soaps and social media.

Power said in a statement: “This series seeks to provide public access to the mechanics of the media in various forms, to air concerns, explore the factors shaping issues of newsworthiness and opinion forming, discuss ethical dilemmas such as rights to privacy versus public interest, consider the impact of market forces, financial interests, advertising on media production, and to demystify the rapidly expanding form of social and new media, which can be daunting to consumers of more traditional forms.”

The show will be produced by Helen Shaw with reporting from Paula Cunniffe. Shaw added: “Our series is about giving people an insight into how media is made and how it is changing.”