'Stop shutting down media scrutiny' - Journalist erupts at govt press conference on RTÉ funding

An Irish journalist has slammed the government for "shutting down media scrutiny" at a press conference on proposed RTÉ funding. 

The government today (July 24) revealed they have agreed to €725 million in funding for RTÉ over three years, with €225 million ringfenced for next year. 

It's a move which has received heavy criticism online. 

A video of the press conference shouting match went viral on social media following its conclusion, with a 1.22 minute clip racking up almost 40,000 views on X (formerly Twitter). 

The journalist - who is addressed as Fionnan in the short clip and appears to be senior journalist, Fionnan Sheahan - erupted after a member of Minister Catherine Martin's team stated they would have to "finish up". 

He said, "Let her ask the question, you came here 45 minutes late, let her ask the question. Stop shutting down media scrutiny. Take Elaine's question. You do this all the time, it happened last September, [sic] it happened a few months ago and now you're at it again." 

He was asked by the member of Martin's team not to shout, stating, "Fionnan, please don't shout, don't shout Fionnan. Have a little bit of decorum here." 

Fionnan then said, "Show some manners" as the government representative confirmed that a final question could be asked. 

The minister was then asked for more clarity on what next year's €225 million in funding would be spent on and how much would go towards redundancies. 

Minister Martin insisted she "can't reveal" the information until it's "given sanction". 

She doubled down on this answer following several follow-up questions on the same topic. 

She was then asked why she announced news of the funding without signing off on particulars. 

She said, "But I know there's a strategy there and it's clear that it's not all going on voluntary redundancies. [sic] There's a whole overhaul of the digitisation and modernisation of RTE so it's obviously not just going on that." 

However, she was criticised for being unable to provide "even a rough percentage". 

Minister Martin said, "But if you look at the strategy it would be clear to you, Elaine, if you look at the strategy you'll see it's not all going on voluntary redundancies. 

"I'm not going to put a ballpark on it right now, that's not what I'm going to do right now." 

Minister Martin then addressed the previous disruption, and stated, "Can I just say, I have sat here for the last year, and I do not think it is acceptable that I am screamed at by certain members of the media." 

Following further interruptions, she said, "I have never raised my voice, I never do it. I always say I will stay here for three hours if you wish, Fionnan. 

"If Cabinet runs over time I can't help that it's delayed. I can't. That's out of my control. And we were discussing in detail the RTÉ plan.

"And I would ask that I be treated with respect, that I wouldn't be screamed at, I think it's the very least that a public rep that is sitting up here deserves, and no other member of media does it to me." 

In response to the viral video, journalist Ita O'Kelly commented, "How can a plan be announced for RTÉ by the Minister - where substantial amounts of taxpayer funding is involved - but significant details are not yet agreed/signed off between the Minister and RTÉ. Exactly the same lack of oversight which caused the issue in the first place." 

Another commenter stated, "If she is willing to stay and answer questions, why are reporters being restricted in the number of questions they are permitted to ask her?" 

A further comment reads, "Fair play to Fionnan. Why ask the press to come if you are going to cut them short. This is what people want to hear the accountability of ministers." 

However, not everyone agreed with this praise. 

One person commented, "Have to commend Catherine Martin here - handling this brilliantly and telling it like is for every other public rep. Everyone of them are a target for scrutiny but those scrutinizing like to yell!"