SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that the decision to geoblock news programming for RTÉ viewers in the North represents a new low and treats northern citizens with total disdain.
The Foyle MP has written to the RTÉ Director General underscoring the broadcaster’s obligation to provide services across the island of Ireland.
Mr Eastwood has also written to the pan-European Olympics broadcasting rights holders Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) about the issue.
Colum Eastwood MP said: “It’s frankly outrageous that RTÉ has decided that Olympics news coverage is more important than providing a public service to viewers in the North in line with their legal obligations.
“Northern viewers have been treated as totally expendable by the broadcaster for decades now and we’ve had just about enough of it.
“RTÉ’s position, which I understand is on the basis of free-to-air broadcast rights, creates a hierarchy of Irish citizens entitled to consume news content and participate actively in the life of the nation.
“The draw of including Olympics footage in TV packages shouldn’t displace their obligation to people here who use the national broadcaster for their news.
“I have written to the Director General today and to Warner Bros.
“Discovery who are responsible for the pan-European broadcast rights coverage of the Olympics.
“Commercial custom and practice shouldn’t be allowed to get in the way of something as basic as getting the news.
“This should be sorted, and quickly.”
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