SOMEONE HAS COMPLAINED to the broadcasting authority of Ireland (BAI) that TV3′s coverage of the marriage referendum result was biased.
The show, Live from the George, was presented by Vincent Browne and broadcast from one of Dublin’s most prominent gay bars, featuring a range of celebrities and advocates for same-sex marriage.
According to the BAI, the complainant felt that the broadcast “was more of a party celebrating the Yes result than fair, objective and impartial coverage of the results as they came in”.
He went on to say that he had never watched a more one-sided programme and that presenter Browne made no effort at impartiality – something that was out of line as the referendum-cycle was still underway.
Response
Reacting to the complaint TV3 said that it did not accept the programme was unfair or impartial.
It stated that campaigners for the No side had been invited to take part in the programme but that they had declined to appear.
It stated that by doing this it had covered its obligations under the relevant legislation and codes.
The result was always going to be difficult to cover, TV3 said, and had a No vote prevailed it is likely there might not have been any speakers for the Yes side.
BAI’s decision
In response to complaint the BAI said that in its view the programme did not constitute a news and current affairs programme, and therefore was not bound by strict rules of impartiality.
It was noted that the programme did not begin until after it was clear that a Yes vote would carry and that it included music and comedy.
On these grounds the authority stated that it was rejecting the complaint.
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