The presenter of RTÉ’s only LGBT programme has left the station, due to restrictions placed upon the show’s content that he said made his job “close to impossible”.
Scott de Búitléir, presenter of The Cosmo on RTÉ Digital, made the announcement on his blog today – bringing his seven-year run on the programme to an end. He said that since the referendum campaign came into view, the national broadcaster “has been keen to ensure that they cannot be seen as being biased towards either side of the issue”.
While RTÉ aims to maintain balance on the issue, I was left with avoiding the topic until closer to polling day, when we could’ve had a carefully-planned debate on the show. 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.
Scott de Buitléir
He added that avoiding the issue “would’ve made a mockery of any LGBT programme, which is undoubtedly pro-equality by default”.
My personal feeling is that certain No campaigners have been given far too much national media attention than they are due. I couldn’t bring myself to adding even more illogical hate speech to the airwaves.
De Buitléir said he would like to return to the airwaves soon – but that in the meantime he’ll continue to focus on EILE Magazine, the LGBT magazine of which he’s a founder.
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