THE BROADCASTING Complaints Commission has upheld a complaint against RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan, who was criticised for encouraging sexually explicit material to be read on his programme during the school holidays.
The claim followed a live interview on July 4th with English comedian Julian Clary and was one of four complaints submitted to the BCC regarding The Gerry Ryan Showlast June and July.
Mr Clary had just published his first novel and the piece aired related to an upmarket male prostitute and some of the acts he performed. A male listener alleged Mr Ryan displayed a complete lack of taste and decency during the interview and encouraged Mr Clary to read the excerpt even though he said he was reluctant to read it as it was "quite rude".
The BCC ruled the extract aired was sexually explicit and "totally adult material".
It added: "A broadcaster is obliged to exercise due care . . . and, in particular, when scheduling programme material during school holidays."
In its defence, RTÉ said Mr Clary's stage persona is that of a camp performer. It did not accept the listener's assessment of the interview and reading and audience members familiar with Mr Clary would have known what to expect. The station said Gerry Ryan is known for his own risqué streams of consciousness and RTÉ believed any children listening would not have been able to understand the sexual references.
Separately, an individual's complaint about a radio advertisement by Veritas on RTÉ Radio 1 in April was upheld as it was deemed contrary to guidelines regarding religious advertising. The commercial promoted products for Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies, and encouraged listeners to visit Veritas' website.
Another complaint regarding an RTÉ broadcast was also upheld by the commission in its adjudication of 28 complaints involving a number of media organisations at its September 1st meeting.
The complaint related to a graphic rape scene shown in the film Derailedon RTÉ 1. A male viewer felt it was extremely violent and objected to such programming given that he pays a television licence fee.
In its judgment, the BCC said "the degree of the sexual violence in the scene was overtly graphic and terrorising". However, RTÉ said it took adequate safeguards with regard to the transmission time, the theme of the movie and the classification given.