Shane Ross: Why politicians won't fix RTÉ - or let it fail

Shane Ross: Why politicians won't fix RTÉ - or let it fail

From Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan by The Irish Times

May 27, 2026 · 43 min

About this episode

Shane Ross discusses the structural problems of RTÉ and the political dynamics affecting its funding and governance.

RTÉ has been in the news again lately thanks to renewed controversy over payments to presenters. So it is a timely moment for the release of a new book on the institution. RTÉ: Saints, Scholars, and Scandals is the latest work by former TD, minister and journalist Shane Ross, who brings his dual experience of media and politics to bear on this unwieldy subject. He talks to Hugh about the deep roots of RTÉ's structural problems, Fianna Fáil's dominance of RTÉ throughout its history (exemplified by Gay Byrne's cozy relationship with Charles Haughey) and the damaging recent scandals over payments and governance. He tells Hugh the frustration politicians feel over negative coverage is the reason cash-strapped RTÉ has not enjoyed a licence fee increase since 2008. Ross also talks about how illness (he is recovering from throat cancer) derailed the book for a few years. Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Hugh Linehan

Guest: Shane Ross

Topics covered

  • RTÉ controversy
  • political influence
  • media governance
  • Shane Ross
  • Irish politics
  • licence fee
  • scandals

Keywords

  • RTÉ
  • Shane Ross
  • politics
  • media
  • licence fee
  • scandals
  • Irish Times

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RTÉ, Fianna Fáil

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