A controversial RTE programme which claimed Century Radio misled advertisers and investors about the station's financial crisis was shown at the tribunal yesterday.
In his evidence last September, Century's co-founder, Mr James Stafford, described the Today Tonight programme as "slanderous". It was originally broadcast in February 1990, five months after Century went on air and 18 months before it closed.
However, RTE's finance director, Mr Gerry O'Brien, insisted yesterday the programme was very professional, though he emphasised he had nothing to do with the making of it. The programme claimed Century's financial projections were "hopelessly inaccurate" when it started. The promoters realised this but decided to go ahead. Century originally estimated it would need £2 million to get started, but increased this figure to £4 million after it got the licence.
Century also doubled its annual projected revenues "at the stroke of a pen" to encourage advertisers, it was claimed.
The programme showed footage of the Minister for Communications, Mr Burke, opening Century in September 1990. "We're celebrating the involvement of the private sector in national broad casting and a new competitive broadcasting environment," he said.
In a studio discussion that followed the report, Century's other co-founder Mr Oliver Barry described the report as a "blatant piece of propaganda from our major competitor, RTE.
"It's so inaccurate it's a joke."
Earlier Mr O'Brien said up to 200 people in RTE lost their jobs when a cap was introduced to limit the station's advertising revenue.
Money for television was cut as was funding for choral and orchestral groups. RTE aimed to finish programmes at 11.45 p.m. so it would not have to pay overtime to staff, Mr O'Brien said.
Some 160 permanent staff were let go and a number of freelance staff did not have their contracts renewed.
Although a cap was placed on RTE, the station exceeded its advertising revenue by £17.8 million, Mr O'Brien said. Most of this money was put into a separate account and given to the Exchequer.