RTE is advised to warn viewers about 'offensive' programmes

RTÉ should consider warning viewers that they may be offended by interviews such as that conducted recently with commentator Mr Eamon Dunphy in a late-night television show, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) has said.

The regulating body said the interview last April on Ryan Confidential, in which Mr Dunphy repeatedly used expletives and discussed taking cocaine, was acceptable within the context of the programme.

It noted, however, "the programme was pre-recorded and, as such, the broadcaster could have broadcast a rider prior to the airing of the programme warning potential viewers that the content may cause offence.

"The commission was of the view that the broadcaster should consider incorporating such riders for such programming in the future."

The BCC was responding to a complaint by a Mr Derek Lawlor who said he felt RTÉ had reached "new low standards" in the show, by, among other things, allowing offensive language be used. "Mr Dunphy's implication that it is acceptable to take hard drugs, and the smoking by both Mr Dunphy and Mr Ryan as 'celebrity peers' also set a poor example," the complaint read.

RTÉ said its programme-makers' guide included a section stating they should not allow anyone smoke on programmes, except for drama where it was relevant to the action. However, the production team wanted Mr Dunphy to feel he was participating in an "after-dinner conversation". The team believed the rhythm of the conversation would have been disrupted had they asked him to stop smoking.

The "same argument" applied to the cigar-smoking of the interviewer, Mr Gerry Ryan, said RTÉ.

In respect of the use of the "f-word", RTÉ said the programme was broadcast at 10.10 p.m. - well after the 9 p.m. watershed - and carried a classification of MA (Mature Adult).

As for Mr Dunphy's remarks about cocaine, RTÉ said it was not in any way endorsing what he said. "Rather, the programme was a contribution to a debate on the subject." While the complaint was not upheld, the commission said "some viewers may have found the programme offensive".