The High Court today refused permission for a judicial review of a Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) decision that the presence of AA Roadwatch on RTÉ radio does not impact on RTÉ’s statutory obligation of impartiality.
Mr Willian Campbell fromDublin argued the content and presentation of AA Roadwatch - whose reports are broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM, Lyric FM, and on Today FM - favours motorists at the expense of public transport.
He fears this will have the effect of galvanising public pressure for more road-building and diminish public pressure for improving public transport.
Mr Justice Butler ruled the application, made by Mr William Campbell, had not presented sufficient evidence to warrant a judicial review.
But Mr Justice Butler has allowed Mr Campbell to resubmit his case next week through his barrister, Ms Ivana Bacik.
By way of explanation as to why it had refused his original submission, the BCC said, in a letter to Mr Campbell, following several months of correspondence, that it concurred with RTÉ's submission that AA Roadwatch broadcasts are not editorial or partisan in content.
It said the presence of AA Roadwatch broadcasts on RTÉ Radio does not impact on RTÉ’s obligations of impartiality and fairness in its news and current affairs coverage.
The letter said the AA Roadwatch broadcasts were a presentation of facts and do not infringe any of the provisions of the Broadcasting Authority Acts 1960.
Mr Campbell will resubmit his appeal next Monday, July 23rd.